STICHTING EIFL.NET

Their core work

EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries) is an international NGO that works with libraries in developing and transition countries to enable access to knowledge. In H2020, they focused on building open access infrastructure, training researchers and librarians on open science practices, and supporting research data management across institutions worldwide. Their core contribution is bridging the gap between open science policy and practical implementation, particularly in countries where library systems and research infrastructure are underdeveloped.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

EIFL's early H2020 work (2015–2018) concentrated on foundational open access infrastructure and practical training — helping researchers adopt open data practices and monitoring compliance with open access mandates. By 2018–2021, the focus shifted toward open scholarship as a broader concept, open science observatories, and integration with the European Open Science Cloud. This progression mirrors the EU's own policy trajectory from mandating open access toward building a full open science ecosystem.

EIFL is moving from open access advocacy and training toward operational roles in European-scale open science infrastructure like EOSC, suggesting future involvement in cloud-based research services.

How they like to work

EIFL operates exclusively as a participant or third party — never as coordinator — which reflects their role as a specialist contributor within large flagship infrastructure projects. With 146 unique partners across 37 countries, they plug into very large consortia (the OpenAIRE projects typically involve 40+ partners). This makes them an accessible, low-friction partner who brings global library networks and developing-country reach to European infrastructure projects.

EIFL has collaborated with 146 unique partners across 37 countries, reflecting its position within some of the largest open science infrastructure consortia in H2020. Their network spans well beyond the EU, connecting European research infrastructure with library systems in developing and transition economies worldwide.

What sets them apart

EIFL occupies a rare niche: they are one of very few organizations that connect European open science infrastructure with libraries and research institutions in developing countries. While most OpenAIRE and EOSC partners are European universities or research centers, EIFL brings a global library network and deep experience in capacity building where infrastructure is weakest. For any consortium needing genuine worldwide reach for open science dissemination and adoption, EIFL fills a gap that technical partners cannot.

Highlights from their portfolio

• OpenAIRE-Advance
  Their largest funded project (EUR 238,125), advancing open scholarship monitoring and building the Open Science Observatory at European scale.
• FOSTER Plus
  Directly focused on training — a train-the-trainers model for open science implementation across Horizon 2020, showing EIFL's strength in capacity building.
• EOSC Future
  Their most recent involvement (2021–2024), signaling a move into the next generation of European cloud research infrastructure, though as a third party with limited funding role.