Strengthening biodiversity data mobilization in Lithuania through GBIF capacity building

GBIF Sweden recently contributed to a regional capacity-building workshop in Lithuania, bringing together researchers, data managers and institutions working to mobilize biodiversity data for research and policy.

The workshop was organized within the framework of GBIF’s Capacity Enhancement Support Programme (CESP), which supports the development of skills, networks and infrastructure for biodiversity data mobilization. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions covering data management, Darwin Core standards, and practical workflows for publishing data through GBIF.

A key focus of the workshop was enabling participants to move from data preparation to publication. By working with both their own datasets and curated test data, participants gained practical experience in structuring, standardizing and preparing biodiversity data for open access. This reflects a broader goal of GBIF to mobilize the data, skills and technologies needed to make biodiversity information freely available for science and decision-making.

The training also highlighted the importance of open and FAIR data practices, which are increasingly central to both international biodiversity policy and Swedish research policy. Making data findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable ensures that biodiversity information can support evidence-based decision-making and contribute to addressing global challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate change.

By strengthening technical capacity and fostering collaboration, the workshop contributes to a growing global effort to make biodiversity data openly available. Such efforts are essential for advancing research, informing policy, and supporting the implementation of national and international biodiversity strategies. GBIF Sweden remains committed to supporting partners in the region and looks forward to continued collaboration and new data publications resulting from this initiative.

More information can be found on the project webpage: https://www.gbif.org/project/CESP2025-002/biodiversity-data-capacity-building-in-lithuania