The Confederation of Open Access Repositories(COAR) was launched in October 2009 and is a not-for-profit association of repository initiatives. It aims to enhance greater visibility and application of research outputs through global networks of Open Access digital repositories.

What does COAR do?

• Lobby for repositories, their networks and repository based e-Infrastructures at the national and international level.
• Coordinate global collaborative efforts towards high-quality OA content and interoperable systems.
• Develop strategic partnerships for research infrastructure related initiatives worldwide.
• Promote a joint global data store of OA repositories to enable and support the open re-use of data by service and portal providers.
• Act as a reference point for repository standardization efforts and a forum for information exchange.
• Develop and support of interoperable standards for national aggregation of research content in OA repositories.
• Promote increased rates of self-archiving with as little burden as possible on the researcher.
• Advocate for consistent policy formulation on institutional repository development
• Promote the repository manager profession.
• Support the implementation of OA mandates by research funders and institutions.
• Maintain, develop and expand the COAR international confederation, including regional and subject-based networks of OA repositories.

COAR working groups

At the COAR General Assembly in Madrid in March 2010, five core objectives were identified to facilitate the further development of a global network of repositories. Three working groups were formed in order to pursue these objectives.

Working Group 1. Repository Content

Populate repositories with content. Collect, assemble and disseminate best practices for the inception, operation and growth of OA repositories.

Working Group 2. Repository Interoperability

Facilitate the discussion on interoperability among OA repositories and as part of a wider e-Infrastructure.

Working Group 3. Repository and Repository Networks Support & Training

Support regional and national repository initiatives; promote the repository manager profession.

Contribute shaping COAR

Joining COAR at the early stage of its development means that you will be able to contribute to shaping the organization‘s objectives of interoperability, raising awareness and promoting OA repositories, supporting the repository community and working with partners in related fields such as research management and publishing. COAR offers various forms of participation including single and group memberships as well as the opportunity to become a partner