NORF Open Access Repositories Project Case Study

This case study highlights the NORF Open Access Repositories Project’s efforts to build a cohesive, community-focused strategy for advancing Irish open repositories. Supported by NORF funding, the project involved extensive stakeholder engagement to understand and address common challenges, including resource limitations, metadata inconsistencies, and varying repository practices. Through surveys, interviews, and consultations, stakeholders across the academic, government, and research sectors contributed to a strategic roadmap published in 2024. Key outcomes of the project include recommendations for nationwide training programs, a community of practice for repository managers, and the creation of Open Repositories Ireland (ORI), a membership organisation dedicated to fostering open repository practices. The project also conducted a pilot focused on OpenAIRE v4 standards to enhance metadata quality and interoperability. This collaborative approach aims to build a sustainable, globally aligned repository network that supports Ireland’s open research ambitions.