On December 5, OpenAIRE proudly participated in the RDA Node Slovenia Workshop, Infrastructure for Open Science – Status, Challenges, and Opportunities, part of the Arnes annual Network of Knowledge conference. This event brought together researchers, IT professionals, policy developers, and open science enthusiasts to explore the status and future of open science infrastructure in Slovenia.

Held in Ljubljana, the workshop was organized by RDA Node Slovenia and aimed to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation to strengthen Slovenia’s research ecosystem. Topics included establishing a national open science infrastructure, advancing research data management, creating the Slovenian Open Science Monitor, and ensuring long-term preservation of scientific heritage.

 OpenAIRE's Contribution: Insights from the Irish National Open Access Monitor 

Representing OpenAIRE, Leonidas Pispiringas, Data Scientist & Scholarly Communication Technical Expert, delivered an insightful presentation on the  National Open Access Monitor of Ireland. This innovative tool provides a transparent overview of the open access landscape in Ireland, enabling stakeholders to track progress, benchmark performance, and shape strategic open science initiatives.

Leonidas highlighted how the Irish monitor aligns with OpenAIRE’s commitment to facilitating Open Science through robust infrastructure and services. Participants learned about its methodology, which emphasizes on transparency, comprehensive coverage, adherence to FAIR principles, and the prerequisites for a comprehensive representation of Ireland’s scholarly output and Open Access uptake and for an improved data quality. The platform's dashboards, including benchmarks metrics and indicators at a national level, but also for research-performing and funding organizations, were of particular interest, sparking a lively discussion about its applicability to Slovenia's goals.

The audience engaged in a rich dialogue, exploring how similar monitoring solutions could benefit Slovenia’s Open Science ambitions and align with European standards. This session underscored the importance of international collaboration and shared best practices in building effective open science infrastructures.

Key Workshop Highlights:

• Establishing National Infrastructure: Panellists discussed the importance of aligning Slovenia’s efforts with European Open Science initiatives, creating a cohesive system to support researchers.

• Data Management and FAIR Metadata: Presenters showcased advancements in bibliographic records and repositories, emphasizing the role of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles.

• Slovenian Open Science Monitor: Plans for a national monitoring system were unveiled, demonstrating how Slovenia could leverage international expertise, including OpenAIRE’s.

• Long-term Preservation: Discussions covered the significance of DOI infrastructure and strategies for ensuring the longevity and accessibility of scientific heritage.

A Collaborative Future for Open Science 

The workshop concluded with a forward-looking discussion on challenges and opportunities in advancing Open Science infrastructure. The consensus: partnerships between local and international organizations, such as OpenAIRE and RDA, are essential for creating an open and connected research environment.

As Slovenia takes steps to implement its national Action Plan for Open Science, tools like the Irish Open Access Monitor can serve as a blueprint. OpenAIRE remains committed to supporting these efforts, driving innovation, and empowering the global research community.

Stay tuned for the workshop’s final report, expected early in 2025, which will capture the event’s findings and provide actionable recommendations for the next steps in Slovenia's open science journey.

We look forward to continuing the conversation and collaboration. For more information about OpenAIRE’s activities and services, visit  our website. To learn about RDA Node Slovenia, join their activities here.