FIDELIS Network Launched to Support Trustworthy Digital Repositories
The FIDELIS project has officially launched the FIDELIS Network, a new initiative aimed at supporting digital repositories across Europe in becoming and remaining trustworthy and FAIR-enabling over time. The network welcomes repositories that either practice or aspire to practice TRUST-worthy, FAIR-aligned data management approaches.
Through stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, coordination, and training, the FIDELIS Network seeks to promote standardisation, interoperability, and the long-term sustainability of digital repositories in alignment with the goals of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).
Repositories are strongly encouraged to join the network as provisional members during its start-up phase, which runs until 2027. Membership is currently free of charge, and this early involvement allows members to shape the Network’s governance, strategy, and sustainability model. By contributing their insights and experience, members can help ensure the Network reflects the real-world needs of the European repository landscape.
Provisional members will also have the opportunity to participate in the FIDELIS 2025 pilot support offer, which includes tools, services, methodologies, and policies developed by project partners. These solutions will be tested directly in local repository environments, with feedback feeding into the next stages of development.
In addition, members will benefit from networking opportunities with peers and project partners, early access to information on EOSC developments and future projects, and priority notification about upcoming FIDELIS cascading grants.
To join, repositories must commit to the TRUST principles (Transparency, Responsibility, User focus, Sustainability) and the FAIR principles for digital objects. Within four months of registration, aspiring members are expected to publicly endorse the TRUST principles through the Research Data Alliance (RDA).
In parallel, FIDELIS and its sister project EOSC EDEN have launched a joint website at eden-fidelis.eu. The site provides updates on project activities, access to upcoming events, newsletters, and insights into how over 30 expert organisations are advancing preservation and curation practices across Europe.
Repositories interested in helping shape the future of trusted digital preservation are invited to sign up today and co-create a stronger, more connected European research infrastructure at https://eden-fidelis.eu/form/join-the-fidelis-network