At the core of 2Interoperate is the further development of FAIRness with a special focus on the “I” (interoperability) of NFDI4Earth infrastructures and services. The NFDI4Earth architecture will include the characterisation of core infrastructure and service types and describe the standards required to make them interoperable. These descriptions will be based on the extended FAIR principles NFDI4Earth is committed to. An NFDI4Earth label for interoperability will be developed that encapsulates key requirements for infrastructures and services to be fully integrated. 2Participate (Pilots, Education, Academy) and 2Facilitate (User support, OneStop4All) will deliver relevant information on FAIR RDM from their interactions with users. The architecture, FAIR standards as well as the label will be designed cooperatively. To the extent possible, all kinds of stakeholders (other NFDIs, universities, research/governmental institutions) will be involved, thus embedding NFDI4Earth in the NFDI and internationally. The Knowledge Hub will provide a comprehensive, highly technical architecture description. A Living Handbook (derived from Knowledge Hub content) will provide a comprehensive summary of NFDI4Earth services and products (e.g. user workflows, implemented standards, interoperability evaluation criteria for an NFDI4Earth Label, etc.). Both Knowledge Hub and Living Handbook are provided in close interaction with 2Coordinate.
We will perform a continuous gap analyses of ESS user workflows, regarding missing interfaces, needs for services and performance improvements, convergence to common standards, demands for new services and suggestions to cross-link with external services. This requires communication with ESS users in their pilots. Gap analyses will trigger actions in 2Coordinate to implement missing services on a prototype basis. A transition towards using data cubes and other database services will be supported, in close collaboration with 2Facilitate (advancing tools). We will mandate implementation of common standards within participating infrastructures.