Challenges and opportunities in open scientific data policy development in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Open science initiatives are a global phenomenon. If in developed countries research and innovation enjoy significant support from governments, business and the entire society, and open science has become an important component in the landscape of scientific research, developing countries, such as the Republic of Moldova, have a situation a little more special regarding open access to scientific information, the use of new technologies and tools in the sharing and dissemination of knowledge, in the broad participation and collaboration between social partners in the act of research and innovation. New achievements in the field of information and communication technology offer developing countries great opportunities to increase their research capabilities and participate in the development of world science. There are, however, certain specific barriers that still prevent the free circulation of scientific information, the broad collaboration of actors in the field of research. Ensuring open access to research data is a big challenge for the scientific community in the Republic of Moldova. In order to respond to this challenge, it is necessary to develop and implement some policies and some normative acts that contribute to the consolidation of efforts in order to identify and capitalize on the opportunities offered by new technologies, good practices and European and international experience, the establishment of some sustainable mechanisms regarding management and reuse of research data. The paper addresses the issue of open scientific data in the Republic of Moldova emphasizing the need to develop policies that take into account local realities but also the opportunities for international collaboration and, first of all, those related to the status of a candidate country for joining the Union European.