Joint Statement on Open Science: Open Science as a pillar for strengthening the European Research Area. Opportunities and remaining barriers

This joint statement is issued by six major European organisations – ALLEA, EIFL, IFLA, LIBER, OPERAS, and SPARC Europe – representing thousands of European universities, research-performing organisations, libraries, scholarly infrastructures, and academies of sciences and humanities. In light of the consultation on the European Research Area (ERA) Act, it reflects on the current state of Open Science (OS).

While significant policy progress has been made through the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science (2021), European Council Conclusions in 2022 and 2023, national OS policies, and more, substantial challenges remain. Financial, linguistic, and geographic inequalities continue to limit equitable participation in and access to Open Science.

This joint statement outlines what key remaining barriers require a coordinated approach. The ERA Act represents an important opportunity to accelerate progress through targeted legislative measures, but legislation alone will not be sufficient.

Achieving Open Science will require the mobilisation of a diverse ecosystem of actors and complementary tools, including policy alignment, incentives, infrastructure, and community-led initiatives.