Oppla

Oppla is a new knowledge marketplace; a place where the latest thinking on ecosystem services, natural capital and nature-based solutions is brought together. Its purpose is to simplify how we share, obtain and create knowledge to better manage our environment. Oppla is an open platform that is designed for people with diverse needs and interests - from science, policy and practice; public, private and voluntary sectors; organisations large and small, as well as individuals. All are welcome and have a part to play in our community.

IRIDRA is a member of Oppla, sharing its experience in the field of nature-based solutions for sustainable water management.

Oppla aims to provide a virtual hub where the latest thinking on natural capital, ecosystem services and nature-based solutions is brought together from across Europe. The web portal will provide access to a wide range of resources, drawn from the most innovative communities of science, policy and practice.

The purpose of Oppla is simple: to enable people of all levels of knowledge to find useful advice, tools and techniques as quickly and easily as possible. The platform currently features a crowd-sourced enquiry service, Ask Oppla – the facility to have your questions answered by other members of the Oppla community. An online marketplace is currently in development where tools, data and services can be advertised and obtained – creating opportunities for collaboration between different sectors and disciplines. The finished platform will also feature a community matchmaking service, helping users find new clients, contractors and partners. The Oppla web portal will be complemented by events, training courses and other offline services on demand.

Oppla has ambition to grow into Europe's foremost portal for sharing environmental knowledge, providing access to information hosted on other platforms. It offers opportunity for early members to become part of a growing community at the cutting-edge of research, with huge potential to collaborate and inform best practice in better managing our environment.

Over 60 universities, research institutes, agencies and enterprises are currently developing the Oppla prototype as part of a joint activity between the OPERAs and OpenNESS projects, funded by the European Commission FP7 Programme.