During the ENVRI PLUS, the partners joined their forces for improving the technical developments. An evaluation of drone observation systems, recommendations for sensor embedded processing, joint development of instrument reliability in extreme conditions, testing facility for on-site energy production, these developments increased the reliability and efficiency of the European RI observational facilities. The ENVRI RIs also collaborated on observational inter-comparison experiments, explored methods for analysing heterogenous time series, traceability of environmental observations to the metrological standards. ENVRI PLUS standardisation also aimed at increasing the use of the ENVRI RI data in COPERNICUS programme and to provide ground validation for the satellite products. ENVRI PLUS developed a robust Open Source NRT hardware prototype, capable to support standardised data collection and transmission. The project also supported collaboration with industry by organising the 1st EU Joint Innovation Partnering Forum and the analysis of emerging environmental observations technologies.The joint technical developments culminated in 2019 by an organisation of the test cruise in the Black Sea, which proved the feasibility of joint work on the RI observational capabilities.
The ENVRI RIs have worked extensively on their data systems for interoperability and preparation for the EOSC. This started with an evaluation of the current data management practices using the ENVRI Reference Model and the ontology for ENVRI (OIL-E). ENVRI PLUS assessed the possibilities of common data architectures and data processing mechanisms of the RIs were improved and demonstrated in a series of use cases and Virtual Research Environments. Project also evaluated the architecture and best practices for data curation. Metadata harmonisation improved the interoperability of the RIs, with the production of Flagship Data Product Catalogue and standardising the documentation of data provenance. ENVRI PLUS created guidelines for data citation and publishing, demonstrated by use cases. Many results were implemented in the operational systems of the participating RIs, and are shared in the ENVRI communities, part of the development of EOSC and further disseminated globally. A book summarising the findings and solutions is being published.
ENVRI PLUS created recommendations for ENVRIs when defining access policies, elaborated as a Master plan to facilitate access, and investigated the sustainability of different access and funding mechanisms. It also created a pilot programme for multidisciplinary access, which proved to be successful in forming new and innovative ways to use the facilities, and led to physical access recommendations for interdisciplinary research.
A landscape of the ENVRI RIs relating to Grand challenges and a prototype distributed site catalogue were created. The project surveyed the awareness of ethical aspects, created Ethical Label Template and Ethical Guidelines for RIs as well as a white paper on communication and decision making under uncertainty for environmental hazards and natural disasters. The Citizen Science work in ENVRI PLUS included several practical applications and real work CS tools.
The ENVRI PLUS created a wide array of training materials available on ENVRI e-learning platform. Project also targeted secondary schools with a development of the ENVRI PLUS Serious Game. The project funded an RI exchange of personnel programme, which allowed the RI personnel to visit other RIs for extended periods.
The strategic collaboration of ENVRI was done within the Board of Environmental Research Infrastructures (BEERi), creating consensus papers and consultations on key initiatives from EC offices and other agencies. The BEERi also created ENVRI strategic plan for future sustainability and a white paper on further integration of RIs.
The project invested in strategic and comprehensive approach towards dissemination and communication with use of targeted methods to reach the various audiences, concentrating on use of digital tools and physical representation in major conferences, augmented by printed material. ENVRI community platform is a sustainable exploitation platform for the products of all ENVRI related projects. Project organized the Final ENVRI PLUS event, attended by a broad range of stakeholders and summarising the outcomes of the project.
