CETAF – Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities

The CETAF Strategy 2025-2030

Over 50 directors from Natural History Museums and Botanical Gardens across Europe convened in person on November 18th and 19th, marking a historic milestone towards the future of CETAF.

This gathering provided a pivotal opportunity to conclude a long process of rethinking the organisation’s strategy for the near future. During the meeting, the directors were invited to endorse the CETAF Strategy for 2025–2030—a dynamic, short-term plan designed to address a rapidly changing world where priorities and actions must adapt swiftly to emerging challenges. Their unanimous approval showed the strong will to commit and strengthen the taxonomic community in Europe.

This resounding vote of confidence sets the stage for pursuing four key objectives that form the backbone of CETAF’s new strategy. Let’s discover here below the backbone of the CETAF 2025-2030 Strategy.

Vision / CETAF envisions a world where natural science collections and knowledge of biodiversity and geodiversity drive a sustainable future for nature and society.

Mission / CETAF’s mission is to promote research in taxonomy and systematics in Europe by facilitating expert collaboration and knowledge sharing among its member institutions, advocating for the value of collection-based research, and enhancing the accessibility, use, and impact of natural science collections.

Core Values

  • Commitment to Biodiversity and Geodiversity: Support and promote the exploration, understanding, and preservation of biodiversity and geodiversity.
  • Public Engagement: Foster meaningful interactions to promote awareness and conservation efforts.
  • Openness: Ensure accessibility of information and resources.
  • Collaboration: Emphasize teamwork to achieve common goals.
  • Participation: Encourage inclusive involvement to drive positive change.
  • Responsible Research and Innovation: Promote ethical and transparent scientific practices.
  • Diversity and Equality: Value differences, ensuring fairness and respect for all.
  • Symmetrical Knowledge Exchange: Enable equitable sharing of information and expertise.
  • Transparency: Maintain openness and clarity in operations and communication.

[Keep on reading below the pictures]

Picture by MNCN/CSIC
Vice President Jana Hoffmann and President Van Huis / CETAF56 @MNCN Madrid, NHMs Directors' summit / Image: José María Cazcarra

Strategic Objectives and Key Areas

Objective I: CETAF, the Voice of Biodiversity and Geodiversity

Key Areas:

  1. Elevate the relevance of biodiversity and geodiversity: Focus on information literacy and expertise leverage.
  2. Deliver actionable knowledge and insights: Prioritize advocacy and engagement to address biodiversity crises.

Objective II: CETAF, Catalyst for Integrative Taxonomic Research

Key Areas:

  1. Drive advancements in taxonomy and systematics: Enhance species identification and data linkage.
  2. Promote training and knowledge exchange: Strengthen taxonomic expertise through initiatives like CETAF-DEST and youth engagement.

Priority Initiatives:

  • Expand CETAF-DEST as a premier platform for taxonomic training.
  • Develop reference tools like species checklists and improve biodiversity monitoring.
  • Promote young researchers and ensure the continuity of taxonomic expertise.


[Keep on reading below the videos]

Klement Tockner at CETAF56
Brit Lisa Skjelkvåle at CETAF56

Objective III: CETAF, Driver for Cross-Sector Collaboration

Key Area:

  • Build trusted relationships with public and private organisations: Foster partnerships for biodiversity-positive actions, share best practices, and encourage citizen science involvement.

Priority Initiatives:

  • Establish collaborations with public and private sectors to align biodiversity strategies.
  • Develop sector-specific guidelines and share best practices.
  • Engage citizen scientists and public groups in data mobilisation and research support.
  • Promote taxonomic expertise within the private sector.

Objective IV: CETAF, Supporter of Biodiversity and Geodiversity Data Space Growth

Key Areas:

  1. Strengthen taxonomic research and knowledge production: Focus on digitisation, data integration, and infrastructure enhancement.
  2. Promote strategic inter- and transdisciplinary partnerships: Build global collaborations and alignments.

Priority Initiatives:

  • Support member institutions in managing physical and digital collections.
  • Facilitate digitisation efforts and establish DiSSCo as a central research infrastructure.
  • Collaborate with global repositories (e.g., GBIF, iDigBio) and platforms (e.g., IPBES).
  • Contribute to global standards and enhance open-access research dissemination.

Performance Monitoring

The implementation of this strategy will be tracked through annual plans and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess progress and adapt to challenges. CETAF will continue fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable practices to address biodiversity and geodiversity challenges effectively.

 

Marta Lourenço at CETAF56
Patrick Michaely at CETAF56

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