Open Access not only enables academics and scientists in developing and transitional countries to access the material which they need to conduct their research but also provides a means by which they can more efficiently contribute their work to the global research community.

eIFL-OA assists members to develop capacity on key issues related to Open Access and builds upon the work of the Open Society Institute, which launched the Budapest Open Access Initiative in 2002. The overall aim is to enabling them to benefit from the content which is made freely available through Open Access, as well as ensuring that the local content produced within their countries is widely distributed. This is accomplished through the development of Open Access repositories and by encouraging authors within the countries to publish their articles in Open Access journals.

By providing assistance, resources and knowledge sharing opportunities, eIFL-OA supports and facilitates:

• Provision of training and organization of workshops on Open Access in eIFL member countries.
• Understanding and adoption of Open Access models in participating countries.
• Development and adaptation of manuals and guidelines on Open Access in developing and transitional countries.
• Training programs to guide and prepare eIFL member countries in setting up institutional repositories.
• Building up Open Access capacity by creating a pool of OA experts within eIFL.net