A transformative step towards equitable scholarly publishing was taken with the launch of the European Diamond Capacity Hub (EDCH) in Madrid. This pioneering initiative aims to advance Diamond Open Access (OA) publishing across Europe, fostering inclusivity and collaboration in academic publishing. The launch event was hosted at the Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (MUNCYT) by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT). OPERAS, a leading research infrastructure for open scholarly communication in the social sciences and humanities, will serve as the fiscal host of the EDCH.
Diamond OA represents an equitable publishing model that eliminates fees for both authors and readers while maintaining ownership and control within scholarly communities. With the EDCH, six essential services will now be available to publishing service providers and technology developers to support and enhance Diamond OA:
Registry & Forum: Virtual spaces for networking and collaboration among the Diamond OA community.
DOAS and Self-Assessment Tools: Instruments ensuring quality assurance in Diamond OA publishing.
Diamond Discovery Hub (DDH): A curated directory of Diamond OA journals in Europe, increasing their visibility.
Resources & Guidelines: Tools to assist publishers transitioning to Diamond OA.
Training Platform: Capacity-building and skill-enhancement for publishing service and technology providers.
Publishing Tools: Technical advancements to streamline publishing workflows and platforms.
The EDCH launch included public and internal sessions featuring diverse stakeholders. Representatives from the European Commission, UNESCO, and national funders from Germany, Spain, Austria, and Portugal shared perspectives on Diamond OA. The internal sessions highlighted key services offered by the EDCH and outlined opportunities for participation in task forces, emphasizing collaboration within the Diamond OA community.
The EDCH aims to position Europe as a central player in the global Diamond OA ecosystem, working alongside other regional hubs like Redalyc-Amelica in Latin America and African Journals Online (AJOL). This collaboration is underpinned by commitments from organizations across Europe and aligns with the Action Plan for Diamond OA, which calls for capacity building and global integration in OA publishing.
The EDCH reflects growing political support for equitable publishing, as highlighted by the European Council's May 2023 conclusions advocating for "high-quality, transparent, open, trustworthy, and equitable scholarly publishing." The initiative also aligns with the global shift towards Open Science, underscored by UNESCO's 2021 Recommendation on Open Science. Initial funding for the EDCH comes from the French National Research Agency (ANR) and the CNRS, with additional support from the EC-funded CRAFT-OA and DIAMAS projects.
Coinciding with the EDCH launch was the announcement of the EU-funded ALMASI Project. This three-year initiative involves 15 partners from Africa, Latin America, and Europe. ALMASI aims to develop a non-profit, sustainable, and high-quality scholarly communication ecosystem, emphasizing quality standards, training resources, and policy frameworks.
The launch of the EDCH is a critical step in shaping the future of academic publishing in Europe. By fostering capacity building, enhancing collaboration, and promoting the Diamond OA model, the EDCH is set to revolutionize how scholarly knowledge is shared, ensuring that it remains open, equitable, and accessible to all.
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