The CoDOA-CH project is an initiative of the Consortium of Swiss Academic Libraries as leading house and ten partner institutions in Switzerland: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID), Library for the Research Institutes within the ETH Domain (Lib4RI), University of Basel (UNIBAS), Université de Fribourg (UNIFR), Université de Genève (UNIGE), University of Lucerne (UNILU), Université de Neuchâtel (UNINE), University of Zurich (UZH)/Zentralbibliothek Zürich (ZB Zürich). It is co-funded by swissuniversities (Programme Open Science II) and the partner institutions.

Time Frame: October–December 2025

Work package 1 focuses on the foundational steps required to establish a robust and sustainable consortium structure. It encompasses the following key activities:

• Legal and Organisational Assessment: Evaluation of the legal and organisational requirements for setting up the consortium and ensuring its long-term viability.
• Governance Framework Development: Drafting of a comprehensive governance framework that outlines internal decision-making processes, roles, and responsibilities of consortium members.
• Implementation Planning: Preparation of an implementation plan detailing the necessary administrative infrastructure to support the operational needs of the consortium.

Time Frame: October 2025-April 2026

The objective of work package 2 is the development of a tailored funding mechanism to support Diamond Open Access (OA) publishing within the Swiss academic and research landscape. Building on existing models and initiatives, the work includes the following key tasks:

• Framework Development: Design of a framework outlining clear eligibility and quality criteria for Diamond OA journals and publishing platforms. This includes the definition of a transparent and fair application process.
• Evaluation Procedure Design: Specification of the evaluation process, including a description of the responsible entities, the roles of reviewers and evaluators, and how decisions will be documented and communicated.
• Implementation Planning: Strategic planning for the rollout of the funding mechanism, addressing the necessary administrative processes, timeline, and stakeholder coordination.

Time Frame: October 2026-April 2026

Work package 3 addresses the design of an effective funding model, resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement. Key components include:

• Funding Model Design: Development of a robust and sustainable funding mechanism, including a proposed model for managing financial flows within the consortium.
• Fundraising Strategy: Design of a national and international fundraising scheme to attract diverse sources of financial support and enhance long-term resilience.
• Business Plan Development: Creation of a business plan that ensures the ongoing financing and maintenance of the consortium’s administrative and operational infrastructure.

Time Frame: October 2025-July 2026

Work Package 4 is dedicated to the visibility, outreach, and stakeholder engagement of the project. It ensures transparent communication of progress and outcomes while fostering community involvement and institutional support. Core elements include:

• Public Engagement and Transparency: Delivery of presentations on the project’s objectives, progress, and outcomes to promote transparency and invite community feedback throughout the process.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Facilitating exchange with key stakeholders and institutional supporters to foster trust, secure commitment, and build momentum toward implementation.
• Open Dissemination: Commitment to making project outputs—including reports, frameworks, presentations, and other relevant materials—openly available to the public.