1. Session 2: Widening CESSDA
Hague Workshop
Session 2: Widening CESSDA
So.Da.Net- GR (EKKE)

2. Greece joins CESSDA AS: an example of a long journey
Two questions to be answered:
Does a Service Provider of a limited capacity can be referred to as a success story in joining CESSDA AS –or CESSDA ERIC?
How has a country at a difficult socio-economic conjucture, joined CESSDA?

3. The answer can be both yes and no.
How:
A long process: setting up of a network (SDB of EKKE and 6 university departments), lobbying /networking, consultations within research/ academic community, contacts with the Ministry and State Secretariat for R & T at regular intervals.

4. How (2) Integration of So.Da.Net to the National RoadMap 2014-2020
Starting point: 2010 (feasibility study in order to join CESSDA)
Phase 1 : call for setting up the RI in 2012
Phase 2: successful evaluation in 2013
(delays: implementation phase lasted 14 months instead of 36)

5. So.Da.Net succeeded to fully operate by the end of 2015
Greece signs the MoU and becomes CESSDA member
in June 2015 thanks to built trust as well as reliability
“which are keys to open doors”.
Visiblility and excellence, assesment procedures,
increasing number of users.

6. There are still barriers to overcome:
Why: because dealing with politics and policies is not always easy for research /academic institutions
Positive aspects: Ministry’s staff in charge of Ris-deep knowledge of the EU landscape, CESSDA assets, a mature and well known RI at country level, participation to CESSDA projects/activities, membership fees

7. Negative aspects, constraints: lack of national funding, since investment for R & T is very low 0,80% of the GDP
Time consuming in finding additional funding (public budget is not sufficient)
Inconsistencies regarding So.Da.Net development because sometimes projects impose the rules.
Social Sciences is a weak link in the chain

8. As a conclusion (1)
A long journey, where many actors have a role to play
There are no best practices or lessons learned to share
HOWEVER
Perseverance, excellence in doing the job, tactical manoeuvres to meet the goals, built trust among political interlocutors and SP is crucial

9. As a conclusion (2)
Visibility, widen users’ audience, added value for research/academic community, high standards of services provided, flexibility and care to meet users’ needs may put chances on your side. Everything matters!!
As So.Da.Net, we do hope that Greece will be on board towards CESSDA ERIC .
“data journey to be continued”

10. Thank you for your attention !!