In the context of GBIF, we consider biodiversity information facilities (BIFs) the complex but coordinated network of elements that ensure access and availability of data and information to address the biodiversity-related needs and priorities of a Participant. That includes, among other things:

• An extensive social component, including the scientific community, the data publishers, aggregators and users, the policy makers, technicians, managers, etc;
   
• A network of institutions and projects that produce and use biodiversity data;
   
• A governance structure, including the representatives and the coordination offices of the relevant international organizations and networks;
   
• The functional collaborative frameworks and infrastructures that allow effective coordination and cooperation;
   
• The technical platforms needed to ensure the flow of data and information, including all the products and services needed;

A GBIF node functions as the coordination unit of a BIF, with the main objective to promote, coordinate and facilitate the mobilization and use of biodiversity data among all the relevant stakeholders within the Participant's domain.

You can find more information about BIFs and nodes in these two key documents:

GBIF assists its Participants in building effective biodiversity information facilities and nodes to ensure they obtain the maximum benefit from all the opportunities that GBIF creates. With this objective GBIF is developing a BIF building package with three components:

• A welcome box, addressed to new node managers to help them familiarize with GBIF;
   
• a BIF start-up kit to fast track the process of establishing a basic biodiversity information facility;
   
• A BIF advanced kit to support advanced Participants in expanding the roles of their BIFs.

Check this presentation if you want more information on the BIF building package and its components: