WP1 Information and database

* The compendium of funding agencies has been published.
* Its contents will be used for the web based map of the BiodivERsA funding network (currently being tested on the home page), as well as for the database of funding programmes.
* A first version of this database was shown at the workshop in Vienna. A full demonstration will be made at the management meeting in June.
* The final report of the Florence workshop has been issued, and a progress report on classifications is in preparation.

WP2 Best practice, barriers to cooperation and priority thematic areas

A workshop on "Best practice in managing biodiversity research and overcoming barriers to transnational cooperation" took place in Peterborough, UK, on 22 & 23 February 2006, organised by Defra/JNCC, UK, with support from ESF
The report is in preparation.
A workshop on "Selecting thematic areas for collaboration in biodiversity resarch funding", took place in Porto, Portugal on the 4-5 May 2006 Documents coming soon

WP3 Mutual training and staff exchange scheme

A workshop on mutual training and sharing of experience is scheduled on 31st May – pm - and 1st June – am-, in Paris, coupled with the management meeting.
This workshop will also allow participants to prepare the staff exchange programme.

WP4 Research in cooperation with developing countries

A workshop on “Linkage and information exchange on EU member states support for research on biodiversity in developing countries” took place in Vienna, Austria, on 8 & 9 March 2006, organised by PT-DLR, Germany, with support from FWF, Austria.
The draft report has been released to participants for comments.
A group is being formed to contribute data to test the feasibility of a database of projects. Many issues still need to be solved so the process will take a few months. This is lead by NERC, in close cooperation with BELSPO.

WP5 Communication and information dissemination

The dissemination strategy for BiodivERsA is being finalised.

Linkage with other ERA-Nets and other programmes:

* BiodivERsA and Circle are shaking hands. Martin König, the coordinator, came to the workshop in Vienna to present Circle’s activities and achievements so far and to initiate discussions on possible collaborations. He suggested that a cooperation agreement between the two ERA-Nets be signed by the end of the year.
* The WP4 workshop in Vienna was coupled with the conference of the European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy (EPBRS), hosted by the Austrian Presidency of the EU. Both network have agreed to cooperate, and agreed that BiodivERsA could be a topic on the agenda of the German meeting of EPBRS in May 2007.