Strengthening collaboration in Open Science and the academic link between Europe and Latin America

OpenAIRE, a leading European infrastructure in supporting Open Science, together with LA Referencia and RedCLARA, the Latin American federated network for open academic communication, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize and deepen their collaboration of more than a decade in promoting Open Science and interoperability between Europe and Latin America.

For more than ten years, LA Referencia has actively participated in OpenAIRE projects, integrating its collection, adopting metadata standards and incorporating technologies developed by OpenAIRE. This new MoU establishes a more formal and structured framework to expand the joint development of technologies, improve interoperability standards and share Open Science training resources.

Through this agreement, OpenAIRE, LA Referencia and RedCLARA commit to:

•Boost Open Science infrastructure: Collaborate on technical development to improve metadata aggregation, interoperability between repositories and data exchange mechanisms.

•Promote Open Access at a regional and global level: Increase the visibility and accessibility of scientific results in Latin America and Europe.

•Align Open Science policies: Work together to integrate national Open Science policies and promote common metadata standards.

•Strengthen training and capacity development: Share training resources and specialized knowledge to improve Open Science literacy among researchers and institutions.

This alliance will bring important benefits for researchers, institutions and decision makers, by increasing the visibility of publicly funded research. Currently, LA Referencia connects 10 countries and brings together more than 5.5 million Open Access research results, from approximately 2,000 repositories and journals. By joining forces with OpenAIRE, this extensive collection will gain greater international exposure, ensuring more equitable access to knowledge around the world.

Patricia Muñoz Palma, Vice President of LA Referencia:

“This cooperation agreement with OpenAIRE is aligned with the strategic priorities of LA Referencia, focused on strengthening infrastructures for the development of science at a global level, where international collaboration and technological advances address the challenges of Open Science.”

Eloy Rodrigues, Director of the Libraries of the University of Minho and Vice President of the Executive Committee of OpenAIRE:

“This agreement marks a significant milestone in our more than decade-long collaboration with LA Referencia/RedCLARA. By formalizing our alliance, we strengthen our joint efforts to advance Open Science, ensuring greater interoperability, accessibility and visibility of research results in Europe and Latin America. Together, we are building a more inclusive and globally connected research ecosystem.”

This strategic agreement highlights the shared mission of OpenAIRE and LA Referencia/RedCLARA to promote Open Science and improve access to knowledge globally. Stay tuned for future initiatives that will foster greater collaboration and innovation in scholarly communication.

About THE Reference

LA Referencia is the Latin American Open Science network, currently made up of ten government science and technology agencies from member countries. For more than ten years, it has developed and expanded its work through agreements, open software, infrastructure and services to support national Open Science policies and strategies in Latin America and Spain.

? https://www.lareferencia.info/en/

About RedCLARA

RedCLARA is the Research and Education Network of Latin America, a regional leader and promoter of collaboration and development in education, science and innovation through its digital infrastructure and services designed for the needs of its community. It provides regional interconnections and connections with the world through its international links, promoting tools, services and research projects to strengthen scientific and educational development in the region. In addition, it promotes collaboration between Latin American academic institutions and their links with the rest of the world, with a special focus on less developed regions and the promotion of open access to data for research and education.

? https://www.redclara.net/en/

About OpenAIRE

OpenAIRE is a European electronic infrastructure committed to advancing Open Science, improving the visibility, accessibility and reuse of research. Through a wide network of partners, OpenAIRE provides services and support to researchers, institutions and decision makers across Europe. It is a key player in the implementation of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).

? https://www.openaire.eu/