1. eContentplus 2008 Work Programme
Working Party meeting on Geographical Information Systems for Statistics
March 3, 2008
Krister Olson

2. Reminder: aim and characteristics of the eContentplus programme
Overall aim
“to make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable, facilitating the creation and diffusion of information, in areas of public interest, at Community level”.
Enabling role
Help content stakeholders (providers and users) realise the full potential of digital content in areas with a public interest where market forces are not prevalent or sufficient enough to stimulate the availability of digital content and services
… by creating better conditions for accessing, using and exploiting digital material
... based on which it will be possible to build added-value products and services across Europe
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

3. non-research What is funded? Projects that:
aim at improving the usability and quality of existing digital content in specific contexts of use in order to create the conditions for the emergence of quality trans-European content based services.
use proven state-of-the-art technical solutions,
are geared towards innovation in organisation and in deployment (as opposed to purely technological innovation).
non-research
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

4. eContentplus Work Programme 3rd call for Proposals 2007
Evaluation & results for Geographic Information
Lower number of proposals received
Higher quality
High response from National Mapping Agencies
Main themes of INSPIRE covered
- 4 BPN retained for negotiations
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

5. Geographic Information
Situation and conclusions after 3 calls
From 1st call three Targeted Projects running
From 2nd call two Targeted Projects and one Thematic Network running
Good private public co-operation
Good involvement of major stakeholders; good European coverage
8 of 9 themes of Annex I covered; ”Geographical Grid Systems” missing
Only 1 of 4 themes of Annex II covered (”Geology”)
Continued support of implementation of PSI directive (facilitating the re-use of public sector information)
Continue to concentrate on themes covered by the INSPIRE directive (harmonising geographic information at European level)
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

6. eContentplus 2008 Work Programme
Based on the draft eContentplus Work Programme for 2008

7. Target area Geographic information
Scope
Any data with a direct reference to a specific location or geographic area
INSPIRE definitions; themes of annex I-III
Actions
Best practice networks (3.1)
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

8. One project type only: Best practice network
What is it?
Project combining the consensus building and awareness raising function of a thematic network with the implementation of the solutions discussed in real-life context.
Aim
Promote the adoption of standards and specifications (S&S) for making digital content in Europe more accessible and usable.
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

9. Best practice networks action 3.1 for Geographic information
SAME AS IN 2007
Objective
Interoperability and harmonization of spatial data sets and services
Spatial info at local and/or regional level difficult to exploit in a broader context as description of data incomplete
Fragmentation if datasets and sources
Gaps in availability
Diverse collection and preservation practices
Reduce barriers related to one or more of the specific themes in annexes
I-III of INSPIRE (Only one network by theme will be selected)
Expected results
Spatial data aggregated to cover a significant part of Europe and accessible in a seamless way across borders in multiple languages
Consensus built on strategy for interoperability
A sustainable network of stakeholders should be established.
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

10. Best practice network Each BPN:
identifies possible solutions for an issue related to the objective of the target area
tries out one or more of the solutions; draws conclusions on their validity; adapts its approach if necessary.
The Commission organises “clustering meetings“ as appropriate
The final output of the BPNs should reflect the results
of the large scale implementations and the results and recommendations of the clustering activities.
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

11. Best Practice Network example
A BPN discusses 2 ways of implementing a specific standard
Solution 1
Standard implemented by the BPN
members
Validation and take up
of common standard
Solution 2
So it is a problem-oriented approach, combining consensus building, awareness raising and implementation
Tackling issues with cross-border relevance (European dimension)
Inclusion of content providers
Proof of quality and quantity of content provided within the project
To get impact, target users and their needs should be identified
Dissemination plan at incept; strong network capacity
Consensus building
Create critical mass
Result in easily accessible, interoperable and reusable datasets
Address multilingual aspects
Recommendations to take up beyond the BPN … based on BPN evidence
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

12. Best practice networks action 3.1 for Geographic information
Public – Private Stakeholders
National Mapping Agencies
Cadastral Agencies / Land Registries
”Umbrella” organisations
National / regional / local administration
Academic institutions GI
GI industry etc
Public – Private Cooperation
Integration
Interoperation
European wide → large scale projects
Integration
Interoperation
Producers – Users in projects
user need assessment
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

13. BPN Requirements & Award criteria 1. Relevance & European Dimension
Weighting = 2.0
Contribution towards the objectives of this action
Clear description of problems and solutions; must contribute to achieving expected results of this action
Requirements for European dimension = impact on a large number of users in the largest possible number of EU countries
NB. Exclusion threshold (6/10)
AVOID EARLY ELIMINATION!!
Sufficient information should be provided in sections 1-3 of the description of work
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

14. BPN requirements & Award criteria 2. Impact, Content & Networking
Weighting = 4.0
Critical mass of content to draw valid conclusions.
Target users /needs beyond the consortium participants (analysis of demand).
Added value of approach proposed vs. existing or earlier attempts
Indicators to evaluate effectiveness of proposed solutions and potential acceptance by target public.
Dissemination plan
- optimal promotion/use of project results
- contribute to the uptake of S&S across Europe
Added value of approach proposed vs. existing or earlier attempts to produce S&S during the lifetime of the project
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

15. BPN requirements & Award criteria 2. Impact, Content & Networking
Weighting = 4.0
Content
Quality and quantity of committed content clear
Selection criteria for content clear
No IPR issues for input content
Strategy for IPR issues on project output clear (wide use and dissemination).
Results accessible beyond the end of the project.
Networking capacity
Disseminate and promote uptake of results in Member States.
Be open and proactive in attracting new members
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

16. BPN requirements & Award criteria 3. Quality of the technical part
Weighting = 2.0
Adequacy of methodology
Adequacy of work plan
Clustering capacity (adaptability, flexibility, approach….)
Contribute actively to clustering activities
Foresee ways of taking into account clustering results
Flexible approach enabling necessary adaptation
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

17. BPN requirements & Award criteria 4. Resources & Management
Weighting = 2.0
Adequacy in terms of relevance, competence, complementarities etc.
Adequacy in terms of management, decision making structures, communication, cooperation etc.
Adequacy in allocation of resources (personnel, equipment, financial etc.
Consortium must include content providers (quality & quantity)
Should include users (feedback on result of the implementation)
Should include standardisation bodies and/or relevant European and international bodies.
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

18. Proposal preparation Download all documentation!
Read documentation very well!
Make sure that proposal fully addresses the points described under the award criteria in the current call
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

19. Geographic Information Community Funding
Indicative total funding: M €
Project type
Community contribution
Typical duration
(in months)
Number of Countries
(impact)
Funding
Best Practice Networks
80% of direct costs *
18-24
(up to 36)
14-27
4-6 M€ *
Personnel costs: personnel working for the project
Travel & subsistence costs according to usual rules of applicant
Subcontracting: identified; bid offering best value for money
Other specific costs
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

20. Timetable March 2008 Adoption and publication of Work Programme/call
12 June 2008
Call closure
June/July 2008
Evaluation
January 2009
Opening of negotiations
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

21. Call documentation & Help!
eContentplus helpdesk
Call documentation & pre-proposal service; forms available on the web site
National Contact Points (list on web site)
eContentplus 2008 work programme (draft version)

22. eContentplus 2008 work programme Geographic Information Questions?