GBIF is an initiative launched by the OCDE in 1996 within the framework of the Megascience Forum Working Group on Biological Informatics.  It was established in 2001 by the official opening of GBIF branch in Copenhagen , the seat of its permanent secretary.

The principal objective of the GBIF project summarised in one sentence:  free and universal circulation, via the Internet, of information relating to biodiversity.

Switzerland , via the Federal Office of Education and Science (OFES, current secretary of state for education and research), ratified the Memorandum of Understanding in 2001 under the title of associate member of GBIF.

In 2002, the direction of the OFES aligned with that of the Federal Office of the environment, forests and landscape in order to define how the project would have to be carried out, and by whom.  At the beginning of 2003, it was decided that it would be the OFEFP (Natural Division & landscape) who would ensure the organisation, taking into account its active implication in the conservation and the follow-up of the national biodiversity, as well as its privileged relations with the national centres of coordination for flora and fauna.

The OFEFP then asked the CSCF to propose a budget and concrete solutions which are meant to make it possible to cover the costs of the projects technical and logistic aspects.  The proposals were then accepted by the direction of the OFEFP and resulted in the signing of a contract for the OFEFP - CSCF framework in the autumn of 2003.

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