development update paul mahony, countryscape. what is oppla? an open platform for collaboration...

Development update

Paul Mahony, Countryscape

What is Oppla?

• An open platform for collaboration between communities of science, policy and practice• A knowledge marketplace where the outputs

of research are made accessible to new users – within and beyond the environmental sector

Sounds familiar…?

How is Oppla different?

• Accessible to users from different sectors• Quality Assurance process reduces uncertainty• A truly open platform – open to everyone

What are the benefits?

For new users:• Understand what information is most

relevant/useful• Access that information as easily as possible

For experienced users:• Reach wider audiences and increase impact• Find new and emerging markets for your

services

Longevity

Online marketplace

• A marketplace where products and services and can be searched, shared and bought (data, software, consultancy services, guidance, etc)• “An eBay of environmental knowledge”

An enquiry service: Ask Oppla

Ask Oppla

• Crowd-sourced enquiry service – the facility to have your questions answered by the Oppla community• Short and simple answers – signposting

users to useful advice, tools and techniques• Designed for new users – helping people

who might not know where to start

…Oppla is the library; Ask Oppla is the librarian

How does it work?

QUESTION RECEIVED

PROCESSED BY

SECRETARIAT

OPPLA MEMBERS RESPOND

(48 HRS)

ANSWER(S)

PROVIDED(AND STORED)

• Users receive useful information• Members receive visibility and new

contacts/clients• Oppla receives publicity… plus potential for

revenue?

Community

• Platform for networking, collaborating and sharing

• Interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral and transnational

• Opportunity to join a growing community at the cutting-edge of research

• Workshops, training courses and other face-to-face events

Audiences

SEGMENT EXAMPLES TRIGGERS

PRACTITIONERS Land managers, NGOS, utility companies

Efficiencies, knowledge share, cutting edge

CREATORS Academic institutions, consultancies, EU projects

Impact, marketplace, profile

DECISION-MAKERS Policymakers, asset/finance managers

Reliability and assurance, access to expertise

NEWCOMERS Other sectors (e.g. health), private enterprise

Accessibility, practicality, risk reduction

SPONSORS Donors and investors, government, partners

“A big idea”, opportunity to influence, kudos

Vision

• Establish Oppla as the leading EU platform for sharing knowledge, products and services relating to ES/NC• Attract a community of users from different sectors• Generate sufficient financial and political interest to

ensure long-term sustainability

Where are we now?

• Oppla prototype in development• Promotional campaign and community-

building• Business plan and legal entity• Ask Oppla service launching soon…

Prototype (Beta launch 03.16)

Building the community

• Database of prospective members (160+ organisations)• Publicity Pack now available• Promotional video in production

Governance and operations

• Legal entity• Protecting IPR, but also welcoming open

source• Revenue streams – freemium model with

sponsors• Collaboration with other platforms

Timeline

• Ask Oppla (public Beta launch): November 2015• Oppla (private Alpha launch): March 2016• Oppla (public Beta launch): September 2016• Oppla full launch: 2017…!

Links