The West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN), the Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL) and the African Journal Online (AJOL) have launched a Community of Practice (CoP) as part of the Collaboration for Sustainable OA Publishing in Africa project supported by Wellcome. This initiative aims to empower and unite editors and publishers of no-fee OA journals and books across Africa, helping them navigate the rapidly evolving academic publishing landscape.
The CoP, which already includes 155 editors and publishers, serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy to strengthen Diamond OA publishing both on the continent and globally. Open to all editors and publishers affiliated with African organizations that publish no-fee OA journals or books, the CoP offers members opportunities to:
- Share experiences and best practices in Diamond OA publishing.
- Build collaborations and partnerships to enhance publishing quality.
- Advocate for sustainable and equitable OA models.
Engagements within the CoP will also address key challenges highlighted in a recent landscape study of no-fee OA publishing in Africa. These include:
- Staying informed about global publishing trends.
- Accessing training, IT support, and editorial resources.
- Advocating for policy and financial support for Diamond OA models.
Click here to apply to join the CoP. The inaugural meeting is scheduled for January 22, 2025, at 10:00 UTC.
