Geoparks - Frequently Asked Questions

1. WHAT IS A EUROPEAN GEOPARK?
A European Geopark is a territory with a geological heritage of European
significance and a sustainable development strategy with a strong
management structure, often supported by a European funding programme,
to aid further development. Additional information can be found in the
EUROPEAN GEOPARKS NETWORK CHARTER
(www.europeangeoparks.org).

2. WHEN WAS THE NETWORK ESTABLISHED?
The EGN was established in June 2000 by four territories.

3. WHAT IS THE MAIN AIM OF THE NETWORK?
The main aim of the Network is to support its members to bring sustainable
territorial development to the geopark by using that territory’s geological
heritage, primarily through the development of geotourism. It is our aspiration
that geotourism on a European-scale can be developed in this way. The
Network is responsible for the assessment of its members’ operation and
services in order to promote the “European Geoparks” label as a high quality
brand in geotourism. Geopark management bodies are responsible for the
establishment of a management and action plan which should describe its
members operation and activities and should refer to the following issues:
Earth heritage sites identification and assessment, natural and cultural
heritage elements validation, geosite protection and geoconservation, Earth
heritage interpretation infrastructure and activities, geotourism infrastructure
and activities, environmental education activities and tools, promotional
activities, support of local business, monitoring progress, international
relationships.

4. HOW CAN I BENEFIT FROM MEMBERSHIP OF THE EGN?
Members of the Network are entitled to use the registered “European
Geopark” brand as a mark of quality. Members benefit from the use of
common promotional tools (i.e. website, magazine etc…) and have a forum
for finding new partners for international co-operation, exchange of
experience and for seeking funding from EU programmes. It is important
that all members participate as active members of the Network.

5. HOW IS THE WORK OF THE NETWORK FINANCED?
The activities of the Network are financed by the individual members (see
item 25). Members also seek funding for new initiatives and activities through
EU funding programmes (LEADER, INTERREG etc.)

6. WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL ACTIVITIES OF A EUROPEAN GEOPARK?
There are a variety of activities that can be considered typical of a Geopark.
Most are either geotourism or educational-based, including schools
programmes, guided walks and museum exhibitions. Geological heritage
protection and promotional activities are also essential activities of a geopark.
Socio-economic activities in geoparks are important for sustainable regional
development. Geoparks adopt a holistic approach to their heritage and
promote all aspects of their region’s natural and cultural heritage.

During co-ordination committee meetings members present a summary of
their activities over the previous six month period (Geopark Progress Report).

Every March, EGN members submit an Annual Report which includes the
main achievements of the previous year and is published through the EGN
website.

7. WHAT KIND OF ORGANISATION IS THE EUROPEAN GEOPARKS
NETWORK?
The European Geoparks Network is a voluntary, co-operative organisation.
It has a clearly defined internal structure comprised of two co-ordinators, an
advisory committee and a co-ordination committee. Decisions are only taken
by the co-ordination committee.

8. IS THERE A SUBSCRIPTION FEE FOR NETWORK MEMBERS?
There is no subscription fee for Network members. Members however, incur
costs by attending meetings and actively working within the Network.

9. HOW CAN I APPLY TO BECOME A MEMBER?
Ask for details on how to become a member and how to put together an
application dossier by contacting the co-ordination committee at:

Cellule de Co-ordination du Réseau des Geoparks Européens,
Réserve Géologique de Haute Provence,
BP 156, F-04005 Dignes-les-Bains Cedex , France
CONTACT Sylvie Giraud
Tel: +33 (0)492 36 70 72           
Fax: +33 (0)492 36 70 71
E-mail:  sy.giraud@free.fr        
Web: www.europeangeoparks.org

10. WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP?
The EGN Charter, available on the EGN website, refers to all criteria that are
considered essential to being a European Geopark. A more detailed list of
criteria can be found in the Evaluation Document (available on EGN website
www.europeangeoparks.org)  which is submitted for appraisal as part of the
application process.
 
11. WHEN SHOULD AN APPLICATION DOSSIER BE SUBMITTED AND
WHAT IS THE EVALUATION PROCEDURE?
A completed application dossier with supporting documentation not
exceeding a weight of 1 kg, should be submitted, in any one year, to the
EGN (Cellule de Co-ordination du Réseau des Geoparks Européens, see
above address) during the period 1 October - 1 December ONLY.

The official application letter (duly signed and stamped) and the complete
application dossier should be compiled in English. The application letter
should be submitted along with:

- 3 paper dossiers  and 3 CD-Roms containing the complete electronic 
application dossier in pdf.
- a link on a web page where the complete electronic application dossier as
well as additional annexes can be downloaded by members of the Network.

Nominations will be checked that all the information required is included and
that the guidelines have been adhered to, and reviewed by December 31.

Requests for further clarification, if necessary, will  be issued to nominating
territories by February 28 at the latest. Desktop evaluations of the application
will take place and the EGN will seek a statement from the IUGS on the
international value of the geological heritage of the applicant territory.

Nominations will be discussed at the spring meeting of the EGN (usually
late March/early April each year) after which the applicant territory will be
informed if the application has been rejected, deferred (pending further
information and clarification) or whether an evaluation mission has been
authorisied.

Evaluation missions will be carried out between May 1 – July 31 each year. It
is the responsibility of the applicant territory to pay the travel, subsistence and
accommodation expenses of two experts.

Note that as the EGN is part of the Global Geoparks Network, one or more of
the evaluators may come from outside Europe.

Evaluation reports will be circulated to Application Committee members by
August 31. Evaluation missions will be discussed and decisions made at the
open autumn meeting of the EGN where applicant territories can be present
(Decision by September 30). Should any application be deferred at the
autumn meeting, it can only be considered fully again at the subsequent
autumn meeting one year later.

12. HOW LONG WILL IT  TAKE TO PREPARE AN APPLICATION
DOSSIER?
This really depends on the physical size of your territory, your geological
diversity, the availability of information and the number of projects you are
operating in your territory. It is therefore difficult to define a  time limit. It is
likely to take a minimum of several months.

13. WHAT ARE THE COMMITTEES AND WHAT IS THEIR JOB?
The advisory committee facilitates the work of Network meetings, especially
with regard to the integration of new members. The members of the advisory
committee are representatives of the founder members of the EGN,
representatives of several other members of the Network with more than four
years experience of EGN membership plus a representative from UNESCO,
IUCN and IUGS. The co-ordination committee is composed of two
representatives from every geopark within the Network. This committee 
makes ALL decisions concerning the work of the Network.

14. IS A EUROPEAN GEOPARK A UNESCO GEOPARK?
There is no UNESCO Geopark designation at present, however the members
of the European Geoparks Network are members of the Global Network of
National Geoparks assisted by UNESCO (GGN).

15. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF UNESCO WITHIN THE NETWORK?
UNESCO participates fully in the work of the Network and has a right-of-veto
concerning all decisions made by the Network.

16. HAS A EUROPEAN GEOPARK A MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM
SIZE?
According to the Network’s charter, a geopark must have a sufficiently large
surface area to support a sustainable development strategy. It must have a
clearly defined boundary and it must be managed by a clearly defined
management structure.

17. IS THE PERIOD OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE NETWORK
LIMITED?
Membership of the European Geoparks Network is limited to a period of four
years for all members. After that, membership is re-evaluated. A list of re-
evaluation criteria is available, though it is crucial that geoparks participate
as active members of the Network to ensure continuing membership. If,
following the revalidation exercise it is found that the geopark under
consideration is operating fully and strongly as a member of the EGN, it will
be awarded a “green card” and its membership of the EGN will be renewed
for a further four year period. If, however, some problem has been identified,
the CC may decide to award that territory a “yellow card’ and its membership
of the EGN will be renewed for a two year period. Following the  two year
period a further revalidation exercise will be carried out which can either
result in a “green card” if everything is found to be satisfactory again, or a
“red card” should the original problem remain unresolved. In the latter
instance, the territory will loose its membership of the EGN.

18. ΙS COMPLIANCE WITH THE MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
EXAMINED?
Yes, each application is examined in detail by members of the advisory
committee and discussed by the co-ordination committee which then takes
the final decision.

19. IS THE NUMBER OF GEOPARKS WITHIN THE NETWORK
LIMITED?
No, currently there is no limit. The important issue is the quality of the
territories and their work.

20. IS THE NUMBER OF EUROPEAN GEOPARKS WITHIN ANY ONE
COUNTRY LIMITED?
No, not at present,  but national representation on the co-ordination
committee might be limited in the future. However the voting rights of
geoparks is limited to a maximum of 10 votes per country. Therefore, should
the number of geoparks in any one country exceed 5 (two votes per geopark),
the delegates from that country must agree amongst themselves how to use
their 10 votes.

21. IS THERE ANY LEGAL STATUS ATTACHED TO THE EUROPEAN
GEOPARK LABEL?
Yes, the EGN label is a registered trademark in every European country.

22.  ARE THERE ANY STATUTORY RESTRICTIONS ATTACHED TO BEING
A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN GEOPARKS NETWORK?
No. The European Geopark designation has no legal status and does not
imply any level of protection or restriction within a geopark’s territory. Such
measures can only ensue from national legislation.

23. IS THE COLLECTING OF ORIGINAL GEOLOGICAL MATERIAL (E.G.
ROCKS, MINERALS, FOSSILS) PERMITTED WITHIN A GEOPARK?
Yes, the collecting of original geological material is permitted within a geopark
provided that is done in a sustainable manner or for scientific / educational
purposes AND that it is carried out under scientific supervision and in
accordance local legislation.

24. IS THE SELLING OF ORIGINAL GEOLOGICAL MATERIAL (E.G.
ROCKS, MINERALS, FOSSILS) PERMITTED WITHIN A GEOPARK?
No, the selling or destruction of the geological value of a geopark or of
material either from within the geopark or from anywhere else in the world by
organisations that form part of the geopark structure and/or are permitted to
use the European Geoparks brand is not permitted. Precise details
concerning this aspect of the charter is available upon request, but typically
it refers to fossils, polished rocks and mineral specimens of the type normally
found in so-called “rock shops.” It does not refer to quarried or mined material
for industrial or domestic use that is quarried or mined under national legislation.

25. WHAT ARE THE ANNUAL COSTS INVOLVED IN BEING A MEMBER
OF THE NETWORK?
The cost of members travelling to and accommodation during the meetings of
the co-ordination committee is borne by the individual members themselves.
The committee meets twice each year and the participation by two
representatives from each geopark at all meetings is obligatory. The host
territory of a meeting pays the subsistence costs for all official
representatives. On one occasion each year a meeting of the co-ordination
committee coincides with the open Annual Conference of the European
Geoparks Network and provides all members with the opportunity to welcome
new members and to discuss with and advise potential candidates.

Each member has also to cover an annual promotional fee (€1000) for the
publication and distribution cost of the EGN magazine and other EGN
promotional activities. Each member will receive 200 copies of the magazine.

Each member must also cover the cost of travelling and accommodation for
the two experts selected by the EGN co-ordination committee who will carry
out the revalidation mission of the territory every four years (or two years in
the case of yellow card). Note that as the EGN is part of the Global Geoparks
Network, one or more of the re-evaluators may come from outside Europe.

26. DOES THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION COST ANYTHING?
No, however, as part of the application preparation any potential new member
may wish to invite an advisor from the Network to their territory and the costs
of such a visit should be borne by the inviting territory.

The nominating territory also has to cover the cost of travelling and
accommodation for the two experts who are going to carry out the evaluation
mission in the territory following a decision by the EGN co-ordination
committee.

27. DOES THE GEOPARKS NETWORK PROVIDE TRAINING COURSES?
The EGN/GGN organizes annually an Intensive Course on Geoparks which
focuses on geoconservation, geopark management and operation,
geotourism development, educational activities and local development. This
iIntensive course is also open to individuals from non-member organizations
with a PhD or Masters degree in science.