European Research and Innovation Days is the European Commission’s annual flagship Research and Innovation event, bringing together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and the public to debate and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond. The event will take place online on 23 and 24 June 2021, allowing everyone to get involved from anywhere. This year marks the start of Horizon Europe, our most ambitious EU research and innovation programme ever and will be a decisive moment to strengthen our European Research Area. Cooperation in research and innovation is essential in our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and will pave the way to a greener and more digital future. The European Research and Innovation Days represent a unique opportunity to add your voice to the conversation. The event is all about collaboration: bringing together individuals and experts from all areas to build connections and ignite a brighter future. For more information, please visit the event’s dedicated...

In order to overcome the societal challenges climate change is creating while adapt to the energy transition, European and international agendas have been stressing the necessity of a shift to renewable energy, a more sustainable use of sources and the implementation of low-climate impact measures to reach the zero-net carbon goal. However, the need for a more sustainable and effective framework for the European subsurface and its transition has not been stressed enough yet. Implementing new measures and a common understanding about subsurface and its management, including processes and linked potential, would lead to to a more secure and safe development of sustainable resources and their employment with new clean technologies. In this context, the Geoscience, Policy, and Society (GPS) 2021 was created as a free online event concept aiming to raise awareness and discuss this pressing subject. The event is being organized by Geological Survey Organizations in Europe – BRGM, GBA, GSB and EGS, and the U.S. Geological Survey, that have been engaged in providing the needed science for improved sustainable subsurface management and policy. The event will take place from 7-11 June 2021 and will focus on several aspects of geoscience-related themes and topics such as subsurface use, management, planning, and policy, comparing and learning from innovative science and experiences of both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Side sessions are planned between 7 and 14 June 2021 to complement these discussions by addressing more specific topics. The GPS event will provide a networking space for policy makers, regulators, interest groups, geoscientists and representatives from industry and the research community dealing with the multiple uses and management of underground resources, and anyone with a broad interest in geoscience or any of the specific topics presented to join the discussions. For more information about...

Brussels, 23rd March 2021 The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) has wrapped up its first-ever virtual convention that happened between March 8-11, 2021, receiving positive feedback and industry accolades. The annual PDAC Convention is the premier event of the world’s mineral exploration and mining industry that brings together mining executives, geologists, government officials, investors, analysts, and students from around the globe. With over 7,200 members around the world, PDAC’s mission is to promote a globally responsible, vibrant and sustainable mineral sector that encourages leading practices in technical, operational, environmental, safety and social performance. At the PDAC 2021 Virtual Convention, attendees had access to a customized platform where they could visit exhibit halls, network with colleagues, and join. This new virtual format allows attendees to continue networking by sending direct messages to other participants, engaging through text lounges, and watching educational sessions and newly added content for three months post-convention, until June 1, 2021. View and read the full press...

PRESS RELEASE: EuroGeoSurveys’ Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) Brussels, 11 February 2021 EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) – The Geological Surveys of Europe has published its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). EGS, representing 38 National Geological Surveys in Europe, delineates its new research and innovation priorities through a short- and medium-term vision, with a programme of activities that will result in common pan-European projects. This new strategic document highlights the role of the European Geological Surveys as public organizations which provide the Geoscience knowledge base needed to boost research and innovation in Europe, contributing towards the EU’s ambitious targets in building a resilient society with prosperous economic growth. In line with the European Commission’s priorities for 2019-2024, this SRIA includes scientific topics within the scope of the European Green Deal, a Digital Future, an Economy that works for People and a stronger Europe in the World. View and read the full press...

The European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen has recently pledged that the European Commission will lead a sustainable and transformational recovery which will lead Europe to a “systemic modernization” of the economic and environmental sector. The President called for a healthier Europe by establishing some health research and development programs to enhance Europe’s capacity to respond to cross-border threats. Moreover, she pledged action to boost the single market, reinforce the Economic and Social Union, get the Schengen area working in full again, update the EU’s industry strategy and adapt its competition framework. Read the insights in the press...

On 10th June, EuroGeoSurveys participated in an online event entitled “The Future of Geoscience” – a virtual summit, arranged by the Geological Society of London. The summit was organized in three different sessions with keynote speakers representing the geological field as well as industry sector and school system. During each of the sessions, the panelists highlighted the current risks and challenges the geo-scientific community is facing concerning especially the public “perception” of geology and the issues connected with education, industry and politics. Among the highlights of the summit, the panelists argued how proper science communication could help in delivering the added value of geoscience in the green and digital transformation. Read the insights of the event...

PDAC, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s annual convention returned to Toronto on 1-4 March 2020. EGS was present at the EU booth, which hosted several actors from the H2020 project framework, EU member states, SMEs and EU Geological Surveys. At the EU networking breakfast, the EGS Secretary General Dr. Slavko Solar presented “EuroGeoSurveys and Minerals”. Moreover, the 2020 International Meeting of Geological Surveys Organizations was held for discussing the future of the International Consortium of Geological Surveys. During the convention, EGS had the chance to discuss about a potential future collaboration with the State Service for Geology and Subsoil of Ukraine (SGSSU). The PDAC convention was a fruitful occasion for having a glimpse of the future steps in the global mining sector while raising attention on sustainable and responsible sourcing of raw materials. Click here to view and download the full...

To all our members: Between 2nd and 9th August 2020, the Joint Conference of ISEH 2020 (The 5th International Symposium on Environment and Health), ICEPH 2020 (The 6th International Conference on Environmental Pollution and Health) & G16 2020 (The 7th International Conference on Research Frontiers on Chalcogen Cycle Science and Technology)  will be held in Galway, the 2020 Capital of Culture. The main themes of the conference will concern health, environment and GIS and Agriculture in the Big Data Era. In this context, the IUGS Commission on Global Geochemical Baselines and the EuroGeoSurveys Geochemistry Expert Group are organizing a session called: “Geochemical mapping at all scales: evidence from the soil, sediment, water and plants”. Session conveners: Philippe Négrel and Alecos Demetriades The deadline for the abstract submission is on March 1, 2020. Potential attendees are invited to submit their abstracts on time using the Abstract Template from the conference website. You can submit your abstract via the following online system (www.nuigalway.ie/iseh2020/abstractsubmission), and follow the instructions:  “For invited delegates for an organised session, you are required to choose “ORGANIZED SESSIONS” on the system and choose the corresponding session topic provided by your session convenor. Organised sessions are listed based on the alphabetic order of the surnames of the 1st session convenors.  Invited delegates are those who have been invited by a session convenor and their abstracts have been approved by the session convenor for an oral presentation (15 minutes, 12 min talk + 3 min Q&A) or a poster presentation in the organised session.  Full list of organised sessions are available on the Conference website “Sessions” page”. For more information, please visit the conference website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/iseh2020/. View or download the information package...

On 24 and 25 October 2019, about 70 PanAfGeo partners from around 50 European and African countries gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the Phase 1 closing meeting. The Ministers responsible for minerals in Tanzania and Kenya were the guests of honour. Attendees included some of the project’s main contributors: OAGS Executive Committee members, stakeholders and representatives of Geological Surveys in Africa and Europe and the European Commission. An overview of all the PanAfGeo Project activities performed under each work package was presented and was followed by a feedback session. A complete review of the three years of training was presented by each WP leader. The complete list of the PanAfGeo work packages are available here: www.panafgeo.eurogeosurveys.org/about The PanAfGeo Project: an overview (2016-2019) Results and impacts: PanAfGeo increased the technical competence of 1,074 trainees from 49 African countries (all except Burundi, Libya, Mauritius, Seychelles and Somalia). No other EU programme so far has ever had such a cross-continental geographical coverage, overcoming language (trainings in three languages: English, French, Portuguese), cultural and political barriers. The European Commission’s intention of increasing attention for more effective cooperation with Africa has therefore been fully met by PanAfGeo Phase 1, through its geoscience training programmes for officers of African Geological Surveys. The programme has clearly strengthened the partnership between EU and African countries in several areas, bringing substantial benefits to the societies in Africa and, indirectly, in Europe, through the establishment of stable institutional relations based on mutual trust and respect. The consideration of many African Ministers being present at various PanAfGeo events proves the impact generated at the highest decision making and political levels. The future – PanAfGeo Phase 2: Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement and the framework of possible work packages for PanAfGeo-2 were...

The Organising Committee and the European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage (ProGEO) is pleased to invite you to take part in the Xth International ProGEO Symposium. The meeting is organised by the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME, the Geological Survey of Spain) and will take place in Segovia (Spain) from 8th to 11th of June 2020. This symposium is an international event open to scientists, students, educators, professionals, decision-makers and anyone involved in geoconservation. The symposium is organized in conjunction with several geoconservation organizations also hosting their meetings in Segovia during the same dates. These include: A Workshop of the IUCN WCPA Geoheritage Specialist Group (GSG),The 1st Workshop on Geoheritage of Volcanic Islands,The 4th Meeting of ProGEO’s Southwest Europe Regional Working Group,A meeting of the African Geoconservation Group of the EU-funded PanAfGeo project, andA meeting of the Geoherithage Commission of the Association of Iberoamerican Geological and Mining Surveys (ASGMI). The Symposium will provide the opportunity to discuss the new challenges and threats in global geoconservation. The knowledge and experience acquired within ProGEO during the last decades at national, European and global levels projects this scientific organization as the international leader in geoconservation. Recent developments include issues such as methodologies for the inventory of Geological Sites of Interest, geoconservation in natural protected areas, benefits and impact of rural development and geotourism in geoparks, legislation and management in a global conservation framework. The Symposium will promote communication and collaboration amongst the different stakeholders and actors in modern geoheritage conservation from all over the world present at the various joint meetings taking place at Segovia. Download the brochure of the congress for visualizing the important dates, the scientific programme and the necessary information about travel and accommodation in Segovia. For further information...