13 TH MEETING OF THE GBIF PARTICIPANT NODE MANAGERS COMMITTEE – 6 OCTOBER 2015 Review of regional collaboration Olaf Bánki

BACKGROUND OF REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT Approach Identified At the GBIF 15 GB meeting (2008), the need for a regional approach for liaising with participant nodes was identified and was endorsed by the Governing Board Approach Adopted approach formally adopted in 2011 at GB18 The GBIF Governing Board approved the setting up of a Nodes Steering Group with representatives drawn from six regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania. Implementation Regional meetings before 2011 Regional Sub-Committees

AMOUNT OF REGIONAL MEETINGS SINCE 2008 Organization of 28 regional meetings in five regions*, involving more than 600 people Total cost is estimated at €520,699 (€210,449 from GBIF core funds** and €310,250 from GBIF Participants). *Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America **Years with red circle include those with GBIF core funding

REVIEW PROCESS NSG met in January 2015 and discussed the regional approach NSG performed a ‘strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats’ (SWOT) analysis As input earlier reviews, regional meeting reports, Nodes Committee reports, and input from regional Nodes representatives were used.

SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths: Regional sub-committees can be an effective and productive means of cooperation complementary to the national and global efforts in GBIF Regional subcommittees can encourage active engagement in GBIF Many of the regional sub-committees are established networks that improve regional communication and information exchange

SWOT ANALYSIS Weaknesses: Resources to undertake activities at the regional level are limited Most of the work at a regional level is an expansion of national capacity and based on voluntary effort In some regions, the number of GBIF Participants and/or the state and situation of GBIF Nodes limits progress at the regional level The necessary connections with decision-making are not always established

SWOT ANALYSIS Opportunities: The regional sub-committees could be appropriate bodies to engage with international and regional science policy initiatives The regional sub-committees could seek funds and coordinate use of funds to deliver GBIF outcomes at the regional level The regional sub-committees could accelerate engagement with non-Participant countries in their regions

SWOT ANALYSIS Threats: Regional sub-committees may overlap significantly in membership and aims with other regional initiatives Lack of geographical coverage may affect the credibility and effectiveness of the regional sub-committees

LESSONS LEARNED AND WAY FORWARD Develop processes and strategies to advance GBIF- related activities within the region Ensure sustainability and continuity in GBIF-related activities within the region Strengthen sharing of capacities and resources within the region Enhance visibility and relevance of GBIF within the region Promote engagement and expansion of the GBIF network

PUBLIC CONSULTATION OF REVIEW DOCUMENT Document on Review and suggested way forward for regional collaboration in GBIF Comments or suggestions to this document can be entered into a google document, or send comments to before 16 October google