Periodic Reporting for period 3 - eLTER PPP (eLTER Preparatory Phase Project)
Reporting period: 2023-02-01 to 2024-07-31
eLTER RI is a distributed pan-European Research Infrastructure covering around 20 countries, aiming to become fully operational by 2026-2027. Built on decades of national investments in networks and research projects focused on ecosystems, critical zones, and socio-ecological in-situ research and long-term observation, it has strong support. Over 165 Research Performing Organisations have endorsed the eLTER RI Science Case through a signed MoU, and 20 countries have provided formal political backing for its establishment.
The eLTER RI seeks to produce scientifically robust information to address major societal challenges while operating as a cost-efficient distributed infrastructure. It will continuously enhance its services and in-situ facilities to meet evolving research needs, positioning Europe as a global leader in ecosystem science.
The eLTER Preparatory Phase Project (PPP) is responsible for establishing the vision, mission, collaboration schemes, and impact analysis for the RI. It will work with shareholders to implement governance structures, ensure a smooth transition to operations, establish a legal entity, and identify risks and mitigation strategies. The project will also prepare a cost-benefit analysis, a Cost Book, and financial plans for the mid- and long-term, consolidating them with shareholder input.
Additionally, eLTER PPP will define the requirements for Central Services, select a host for the Head Office, and determine decision-making processes for hosting other central service components. It will define the technical specifications for the eLTER Research Infrastructure physical network design and the site categories, which strongly build on the eLTER Standard Observations and will be applied in the labelling process. Finally, the project will develop communication, dissemination, and marketing structures to ensure the smooth continuation of eLTER RI and engage the scientific community and broader user groups beyond the project’s lifetime.
The eLTER RI seeks to produce scientifically robust information to address major societal challenges while operating as a cost-efficient distributed infrastructure. It will continuously enhance its services and in-situ facilities to meet evolving research needs, positioning Europe as a global leader in ecosystem science.
The eLTER Preparatory Phase Project (PPP) is responsible for establishing the vision, mission, collaboration schemes, and impact analysis for the RI. It will work with shareholders to implement governance structures, ensure a smooth transition to operations, establish a legal entity, and identify risks and mitigation strategies. The project will also prepare a cost-benefit analysis, a Cost Book, and financial plans for the mid- and long-term, consolidating them with shareholder input.
Additionally, eLTER PPP will define the requirements for Central Services, select a host for the Head Office, and determine decision-making processes for hosting other central service components. It will define the technical specifications for the eLTER Research Infrastructure physical network design and the site categories, which strongly build on the eLTER Standard Observations and will be applied in the labelling process. Finally, the project will develop communication, dissemination, and marketing structures to ensure the smooth continuation of eLTER RI and engage the scientific community and broader user groups beyond the project’s lifetime.
eLTER’s Whole System Approach aims to address major European environmental and socio-ecological gradients, requiring broad geopolitical coverage. User communities from 26 national LTER networks are actively engaged in the eLTER ESFRI process.
The eLTER Preparatory Phase Project (PPP) has made notable progress in establishing governance and operational structures. The eLTER Interim Council has approved key documents, including the eLTER Strategic Plan, Central Services host selection process, core elements of the eLTER ERIC statutes, and the Service Portfolio development process. Other achievements include the establishment of the Integrated Governance according to previously adopted strategic goals, criteria for site and platform categorisation, and ethical guidelines.
A crucial component for shaping the RI’s structure and financial sustainability is the eLTER Standard Observations to be mandatorily executed at sites and platforms. Along with the Cost-Benefit Analysis, Financial Principles, and future Funding Model, these observations are key to determining RI costs and acceptability.
Efforts to develop the socio-economic impact assessment (SEIA) framework have advanced, including the selection of indicators and creation of a prototype framework. The eLTER Risk Inventory and Registry were also established to manage unforeseen events. Service Portfolio development continues in alignment with European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) principles, and a human resources strategy is underway to support future RI personnel needs.
Collaboration with European and international organisations has progressed through formal and informal agreements. Communication, dissemination, and marketing structures are in place to engage the scientific community and stakeholders. Private sector engagement has been strengthened through consultations, and a risk management framework was developed to mitigate risks during both the implementation and operational phases. Progress has also been made on key performance indicators (KPIs) and stakeholder integration.
Ongoing work includes the development of the eLTER access policy, legal entity formation, financial modelling, and cost-benefit analyses, all aimed at ensuring the RI’s long-term sustainability. The Service Portfolio has been further developed, offering accessible services to stakeholders, with user consultations refining service specifications for the operational phase.
Concerning the eLTER RI physical infrastructure design, progress has been made in categorising sites and platforms, and as mentioned above, the Standard Observations framework, essential for site labelling and distributed operationalisation. Outreach, communication, and capacity-building efforts have also continued, with updates to the eLTER website, expanded social media presence, and revised outreach materials, including brochures and banners; and the eLTER Grand Campaign has gathered visual content from sites across the network.
The eLTER Preparatory Phase Project (PPP) has made notable progress in establishing governance and operational structures. The eLTER Interim Council has approved key documents, including the eLTER Strategic Plan, Central Services host selection process, core elements of the eLTER ERIC statutes, and the Service Portfolio development process. Other achievements include the establishment of the Integrated Governance according to previously adopted strategic goals, criteria for site and platform categorisation, and ethical guidelines.
A crucial component for shaping the RI’s structure and financial sustainability is the eLTER Standard Observations to be mandatorily executed at sites and platforms. Along with the Cost-Benefit Analysis, Financial Principles, and future Funding Model, these observations are key to determining RI costs and acceptability.
Efforts to develop the socio-economic impact assessment (SEIA) framework have advanced, including the selection of indicators and creation of a prototype framework. The eLTER Risk Inventory and Registry were also established to manage unforeseen events. Service Portfolio development continues in alignment with European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) principles, and a human resources strategy is underway to support future RI personnel needs.
Collaboration with European and international organisations has progressed through formal and informal agreements. Communication, dissemination, and marketing structures are in place to engage the scientific community and stakeholders. Private sector engagement has been strengthened through consultations, and a risk management framework was developed to mitigate risks during both the implementation and operational phases. Progress has also been made on key performance indicators (KPIs) and stakeholder integration.
Ongoing work includes the development of the eLTER access policy, legal entity formation, financial modelling, and cost-benefit analyses, all aimed at ensuring the RI’s long-term sustainability. The Service Portfolio has been further developed, offering accessible services to stakeholders, with user consultations refining service specifications for the operational phase.
Concerning the eLTER RI physical infrastructure design, progress has been made in categorising sites and platforms, and as mentioned above, the Standard Observations framework, essential for site labelling and distributed operationalisation. Outreach, communication, and capacity-building efforts have also continued, with updates to the eLTER website, expanded social media presence, and revised outreach materials, including brochures and banners; and the eLTER Grand Campaign has gathered visual content from sites across the network.
The eLTER Preparatory Phase Project (PPP) advances the operational, technical, and strategic development of eLTER Sites and eLTSER Platforms across Europe to address global change challenges. By implementing holistic, systemic observations, eLTER monitors environmental trends using harmonised research methods and enhanced data access, supporting seven key stakeholder groups from researchers to decision-makers.
eLTER PPP lays the foundation for the future eLTER Research Infrastructure (RI) to become fully operational, addressing critical legal, financial, and technical aspects. This involves reconciling the interests of many stakeholders and of the countries that support the scientific vision. A large set of suitable sites will be selected, and a Standard Observations programme will be developed to ensure comprehensive coverage of Europe’s key terrestrial, freshwater, and socio-ecological zones. Data from these sites will be accessible through a dedicated portal.
The provisional Head Office at UFZ in Leipzig serves as a central hub for all parties involved in eLTER, addressing strategic questions and promoting international collaboration. Several Topic Centres across Europe will manage scientific, technical, and organisational elements such as data synthesis, modelling, technology transfer, and research collaboration.
Comprehensive overall scenarios for the eLTER RI were developed as basis for the Interim Councils decision on a staged approach to establish first the currently feasible “Skeleton RI,” and enhance the RI while already operational. Prioritising reductions in the RI’s scope, this staged approach provides a clear, manageable pathway for ongoing RI planning and future activities.
eLTER PPP lays the foundation for the future eLTER Research Infrastructure (RI) to become fully operational, addressing critical legal, financial, and technical aspects. This involves reconciling the interests of many stakeholders and of the countries that support the scientific vision. A large set of suitable sites will be selected, and a Standard Observations programme will be developed to ensure comprehensive coverage of Europe’s key terrestrial, freshwater, and socio-ecological zones. Data from these sites will be accessible through a dedicated portal.
The provisional Head Office at UFZ in Leipzig serves as a central hub for all parties involved in eLTER, addressing strategic questions and promoting international collaboration. Several Topic Centres across Europe will manage scientific, technical, and organisational elements such as data synthesis, modelling, technology transfer, and research collaboration.
Comprehensive overall scenarios for the eLTER RI were developed as basis for the Interim Councils decision on a staged approach to establish first the currently feasible “Skeleton RI,” and enhance the RI while already operational. Prioritising reductions in the RI’s scope, this staged approach provides a clear, manageable pathway for ongoing RI planning and future activities.