The European Federation of Geologists (EFG) is the representative body for the geological profession in Europe which includes 21 National Association Members. The IGI is an active National Association Member, as well as a National Licensed Body Member, of the EFG. The IGI is represented at the EFG by two rotating representatives.
Horizon 2020 research programme
The EFG is a lead partner several European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) research projects. The IGI is a national association partner on two research projects, INTRAW (International Cooperation on Raw Materials) and KINDRA (Knowledge Inventory for Hydrogeology Research).
INTRAW (International Cooperation on Raw Materials)
This project started in December 2014 and will last for 3 years. INTRAW’s aims are the mapping and development of new cooperation opportunities concerning mineral raw materials with Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa and the United States, addressing:
i) Research and innovation;
ii) Raw materials policies and strategies;
iii) Joint educational and skills programmes;
iv) Licensing and permitting procedures;
v) Data reporting systems;
vi) Exploration, extraction, processing and recycling practices; and
vii) Management and substitution of Critical Raw Materials.
The outcome of the mapping and knowledge transfer activities will be used as a baseline to set and launch the International Observatory for Raw Materials of the European Union as a
definitive raw materials intelligence infrastructure. The IGI is supporting this project by disseminating INTRAW information materials.
KINDRA (Knowledge Inventory for Hydrogeology Research)
This project started in January 2015 and will last for 3 years. KINDRA’s aims are:
i) To create a uniform EU-harmonised categorisation approach / terminology for reporting groundwater research (a Hydrogeological Research Classification System – HRC-SYS);
ii) Carry out EU-wide assessment of existing practical and scientific knowledge (using the developed HRC-SYS) focusing on EU, national, regional, international and EU-third party scientific activities;
iii) Create a European Inventory of Groundwater Research and Innovation;
iv) Use the data in the register and in the developed analytical tools (qualitative/quantitative) to assess the performance of key ongoing EU, national, regional, international and EU-third party hydrogeological scientific and innovation activities and results;
v) Compare the results with existing recommendations and position papers on groundwater related research requirements; and
vi) Define research gaps and corresponding suggestions for research agendas.
IGI commitments to this project are to gather national information concerning hydrogeology from diverse sources, such as government bodies, universities, research centers, regional authorities and map existing practical and scientific knowledge, using KINDRA’s Hydrogeological Research Classification System in English provided by EFG; and to organize a national workshop on hydrogeology to discuss KINDRA outcomes.