Advancing Digital Preservation of Research Data with EOSC EDEN's Integrated Framework, Services, Guidelines, and Network

Many digital data repositories and archives face growing preservation challenges, driven by diverse data formats, rapidly increasing data volumes, and the overall complexity of long-term data management. The introduction of FAIR, CARE, and TRUST principles, alongside the need for long-term digital preservation (LTDP), has major implications for digital repositories and archives. The EU-funded EOSC EDEN (2025–2027) [1] project aims to address these challenges by standardizing preservation and curation practices to ensure digital objects remain FAIR and usable over time. Several key achievements of EOSC EDEN were released in 2025 to benefit the communities. 

Core Preservation Processes - It comprises 30 core preservation processes (CPPs), each representing a specific action a Trustworthy Digital Archive should take - whether directly or through its affiliates or service providers - to fulfil its digital preservation mission (as outlined in its preservation policy) [2]. These CPPs were developed by a group of digital preservation practitioners in EOSC EDEN, which focuses on the operational activities required for maintaining the authenticity, integrity, and usability of digital objects. Each CPP is expressed as a series of implementable steps that may be executed manually or automatically. 

Expert Curation and Digital Preservation Network - EOSC EDEN is establishing a network representing repositories (both generalist and specialist), archives, and organizations responsible for research data curation and preservation. Through this network, clear roles and responsibilities for curation and digital preservation tasks will be defined. The first EOSC EDEN Curation Workshop [3], held in October 2025 in Leuven (Belgium), brought together over thirty European experts to exchange knowledge and lay the foundations for this network. By building a coordinated, multinational network, EOSC EDEN will strengthen knowledge sharing, harmonise approaches, and enhance the long-term sustainability of digital preservation efforts. 

System requirements, repository attributes, and service specifications – EOSC EDEN consolidates system requirements, repository attributes, and service specifications to support trusted, interoperable, and scalable preservation infrastructures across scientific domains, in line with standards such as the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) [4]. The recent analysis [5] highlights persistent interoperability challenges - technical (e.g., format fragmentation, inconsistent APIs), semantic (e.g., varying metadata models and vocabularies), and organisational (e.g., divergent policies and workflows). The project working group further examines interoperability, research output quality assurance, and rights and ethics, supported by concrete examples. Together, these insights provide a solid basis for developing a structured inventory of services relevant to digital preservation and curation. 

Discipline Requirements and Needs - EOSC EDEN investigates discipline-specific requirements, gaps, and emerging needs related to LTDP and digital object quality (DOQ) [6]. The initial insights are provided from seven early-adopter disciplines: Climate Simulations, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Food Sciences, High-Energy Physics, Life Sciences & Bioinformatics, Linguistics, and Social Sciences. Many smaller, scholar-led repositories often lack well-documented LTDP and DOQ policies, leading to challenges in contextual, technical, and metadata quality. Across these domains, the most critical need is ensuring robust data documentation that supports both reliable preservation and sustained data utility. 

Outcome of the presentation - The presentation will showcase how EOSC EDEN’s outcomes collectively advance long-term digital preservation and knowledge security for research data. Attendees will gain actionable insights into harmonizing preservation practices. 

References 

1. https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101188015 

2. Lindlar, M., et al. (2025). Report on Identification of Core Preservation Processes (M1.1). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16992452 

3. https://eden-fidelis.eu/blog/1st-eosc-eden-curation-workshop-leuven-belgium-gathering-experts-build-european-curation-and 

4. Middelbos, W., et al. (2025). EOSC EDEN Specifications and Architecture (D2.1, Iteration 1). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17232536 

5. CCSDS. (2012). Reference Model for an Open Archival Information System (OAIS). ISO 14721. https://www.iso.org/standard/87471.html 

6. Andreassen, H. N., et al. (2025). Report on Discipline Requirements and Needs (D3.1). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15789261