Iryna Kuchma is the EIFL Open Access programme manager. Her responsibilities include advocacy of open access to research results and support in developing open access policies, training and support in setting up open repositories, organizing workshops and other knowledge sharing and capacity building events. Previously Iryna Kuchma worked as an Information program manager at the International Renaissance Foundation (part of Soros Foundation network in Ukraine) and coordinated the Arts and Culture Program there. She has advocated in Ukraine for open access to research results leading to setting up institutional and subject repositories and introducing a Ukrainian law on open access to publicly funded research. 

Iryna Kuchma is a Board member of NDLTD  (Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations) and a member of DSpace Global Outreach Committee (DGOC). She chairs a Working Group “Repository and Repository Networks Support & Training” in the Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR) and in 2009-2010 she was a Steering Committee (and Task Group) member, InterAcademy Panel on International Issues (IAP) Program on Digital Knowledge Resources and Infrastructure in Developing Countries. She has also served on the Access to Learning Award (ATLA) Committee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Library Initiative.