BE-OPEN: Advancing Open Science in Eastern Partnership Region
Project summery
BE-OPEN supports the EU’s Eastern Partnership policy beyond 2020, focusing on resilient digital transformation and integration of Partner Countries’ Higher Education Institutions (PCHEIs) into the European Research Area (ERA).
The project strengthens effective, inclusive, and responsible digital transformation of education and science through implementation of Open Science (OS) principles at national and institutional levels.
At the regional and national level, BE-OPEN contributes to modernising higher education frameworks, advancing Open Science legislation, and reinforcing participation in EU research programmes.
At the institutional level, it promotes OS infrastructure development, curricular integration of OS courses, and adoption of university OS policies.
At the individual level, it enhances academic and research staff capacities in OS practices, data stewardship, and citizen science.
By addressing the overarching Erasmus+ CBHE priority of Digital Transformation, BE-OPEN improves research transparency, accessibility, and quality, while fostering cooperation among academia, ministries, civil society, and international partners.
Specific objectives
Promote Open Science culture and build national and institutional consensus among key stakeholders in Georgia and Azerbaijan by Month 36.
Build human capacities to ensure sustainable transition of universities to OS practices through integration of OS courses in Master/PhD curricula and lifelong learning programmes by Month 21.
Develop OS infrastructure at national and institutional levels by creating interoperable repositories, OS hubs, and university OS portals aligned with FAIR principles by Month 36.
Advance national and institutional legislative framework on OS by adopting policies, guidelines, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure ethical, transparent, and competitive research practices by Month 36.
Project Results
Project Management Handbook: Comprehensive guide defining project governance, procedures, and coordination mechanisms.
Project Brand Book: Official identity package establishing visual guidelines, communication tools, and online presence.
Operational Plan: Detailed plan coordinating project activities, timelines, meetings, and partner responsibilities.
Monitoring & Evaluation Manual: Manual outlining indicators, tools, and processes for quality assurance and performance monitoring.
Open Science Country Profiles: Analytical reports mapping OS policies, practices, skills, and citizen science initiatives in partner countries.
Open Science Infrastructure Development Plan: Strategic plan establishing interoperable, FAIR-aligned OS hubs and institutional platforms.
Open Science Formal and Informal Curriculum: Curriculum integrating OS principles into Master/PhD programmes and lifelong learning courses.
University Open Science Policies: Institutional frameworks advancing OS strategies, open access, data management, and monitoring.
National Open Science Platform / Concept: Conceptual framework defining architecture, governance, and implementation roadmap of national OS platform.
Recommendations to the Amendments to the National Legislation in PCs on Open Science: Policy recommendations specifying legislative amendments to embed OS principles within national frameworks.
Dissemination and Exploitation Strategy: Comprehensive strategy detailing audiences, channels, and actions to communicate, disseminate, and exploit project results.
Sustainability and Impact Maximisation Report: Final report assessing outcomes, documenting uptake measures, and outlining actions to secure sustainability and maximise impact.