GO FAIR follows a bottom-up open implementation strategy for the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) as part of a broader global Internet of FAIR Data & Services (IFDS). The approach is largely based on the EOSC communication and the recommendations of the Commission High Level Expert Group on the EOSC.
GO FAIR offers an open and inclusive ecosystem for individuals, institutions and organisations committed to defining and creating materials and tools as elements of the Internet of FAIR Data and Services. Organised in GO FAIR Implementation Networks, motivated early movers can commence with crucial activities. At any time, new Implementation Networks can be joined or added and as such the GO FAIR Initiative is entirely open, inclusive and stakeholder driven.
Three pillars: GO CHANGE – GO BUILD – GO TRAIN
The GO FAIR implementation approach is based on three interactive processes:
- socio-cultural change involving relevant stakeholders at all levels relevant for the flourishing of Open Science (GO CHANGE),
- training the required data stewards capable of designing and implementing proper data stewardship plans including FAIR data and services (GO TRAIN),
- designing and building the technical standards, best practices and infrastructure components needed to create the Internet of Fair Data and Services (IFDS) (GO BUILD).
The hourglass approach: A stable framework ensuring maximal room to grow
Inspired by the ‘hourglass architecture‘ underpinning the success of the current internet, GO FAIR relies on just enough coordination and international guidance to prevent silo formation, undue competition and fragmentation. Apart from that, it is regarded as critical that within each of the three pillars in GO FAIR and within each participating country or organisation, optimal ‘freedom to operate’ must be safeguarded.