NordBIN Nordic Biodiversity Informatics Network Isabel Calabuig, Nodemanager DanBIF on behalf of Henrik Balslev Head of Denmark’s delegation to GBIF Chairman of Governing Board of DanBIF Professor of Botany, University of Aarhus, Denmark

NordBIN Nordic Biodiversity Informatics Network A proposal to coordinate the Nordic countries’ GBIF related activities was submitted to NOS-N and the Nordic Council in December 2002 and resubmitted in May 2003 to NOS-N The proposal was submitted by: Henrik Balslev, Denmark Jukka Salo, Finland Stefan Claesson, Sweden Øystein Wiig, Norway Starri Heidmarsson, Iceland

NordBIN Nordic Biodiversity Informatics Network All Nordic countries are members of GBIF Norway – 2004 Iceland – June 2001 Finland – April 2001 Sweden – February 2001 Denmark – January 2001

NordBIN Nordic Biodiversity Informatics Network GBIF’s international secretariat is located in a Nordic country (Denmark, Copenhagen) The Nordic countries are linked by cultural bonds and share many traditions, including such ones related to science Co-ordination of Nordic participation in GBIF could avoid duplication of efforts provide critical mass increase Nordic benefits from GBIF membership

NordBIN Nordic Biodiversity Informatics Network Nordic cultural cooperation is promoted by The Nordic Council (Nordisk Råd) and its sub-committee for research - Nordisk Forskningspolitisk Råd The Joint Committee of the Nordic Natural Science Research Councils (NOS-N) coordinates Nordic projects (

NordBIN Nordic Biodiversity Informatics Network The proposal suggests the establishment of six activities 1. Nordic GBIF-nodes exchange of experience 2. Training of Nordic Research students in Biodiversity Informatics 3. A Metadata Inventory of Nordic biodiversity research & collections 4. Collaboration on Biodiversity Informatics with developing countries, the Baltic countries and Russia 5. Conference on Nordic Biodiversity Informatics Research in Co-ordination of the NordBIN network

NordBIN Nordic Biodiversity Informatics Network Proposed budget (x1000 DKK) : Activity/year Total 1. Node exchange PhD course Meta-data-inventory Developing countries etc Conference in Network-coordination Subtotal Overhead (20%) Total

NordBIN Nordic Biodiversity Informatics Network What’s next ? 1.Nordic Council (Nordisk Forskningspolitisk Råd) likes the idea, but wants NOS-N to take the lead. If NOS-N funds NordBIN then the Nordic Council will consider co-funding the project 2. NOS-N has debated the project. Some are in favour, some feel it is not the right time, and some feel that some of the proposed activities belong in other agencies (e.g. NORFA). But: If three countries agree, the project will go ahead !! 3. NOS-N will make a decision in “mid-September 2003”

NordBIN Nordic Biodiversity Informatics Network Thank you very much