Addressing the Needs of Europe’s Trusted Digital Repositories: New Special Interest Groups in the FIDELIS TDR Network
Across Europe, Trusted Digital Repositories (TDRs) are facing increasingly complex challenges: from navigating evolving legal frameworks to safeguarding data sovereignty in uncertain geopolitical times. To respond collectively and strategically, the FIDELIS TDR Network, established under the FIDELIS project, is launching focused Special Interest Groups (SIGs) designed to foster collaboration, exchange best practices, and co-develop practical solutions.
These SIGs are not just discussion forums, but would serve as working spaces where members actively shape guidance, tools, and future governance structures for Europe’s digital preservation landscape.
The rapid development of digital infrastructures, combined with regulatory pressures and growing expectations for openness and compliance, means that no repository can operate in isolation. The SIG model enables:
- Structured peer exchange
- Development of shared templates and guidance
- Coordinated responses to cross-border challenges
- Stronger interoperability among European TDRs
By working together, repositories move from reactive problem-solving to proactive community-driven innovation.
SIG Legal Challenges: Building Confidence in Complex Legal Terrain
SIG Legal Challenges will provide a shared space for TDR members to address key legal challenges related to IPR, GDPR, licensing, and the handling of sensitive data. Findings from the FIDELIS workshop and survey show a clear need for practical support, experience exchange, and more harmonised legal practices across institutions. The SIG will enable members to discuss concrete cases, share templates and guidance, and jointly develop tools that strengthen legal interoperability and support more confident, consistent decision-making within European TDRs.
SIG Data Sovereignty and Rescue
Data sovereignty and data rescue are areas of growing concern for TDRs. We would like to explore if there is sufficient interest among the FIDELIS network members to navigate the associated challenges together through e.g. a special interest group on the topic. If you wish to contribute to investigating the establishment of such a special interest group, please join the discussion.
SIG FIDELIS Network governance
The FIDELIS Network governance committee is to produce a proposal for future governance of the FIDELIS network, before summer holidays 2026 . The discussion is facilitated by the FIDELIS project. Participants are expected to participate in online discussions, based on the governance considerations established in 2025.
Join the TDR Network to chart the course for European digital repositories
To participate in the FIDELIS TDR SIGs, you will need to join as the Network member.