The European Geopark Networks was founded in June 2000, by four management bodies areas of geological monuments:
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Reserve Geologique de Haute-Provence (France)
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Natural History Museum of Lesvos Petrified Forest (Greece)
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Geopark Gerolstein/Vulkaneifel (Germany)
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Maestrazgo Cultural Park (Spain)
The aim of the Network is the cooperation, the exchange of good practices and experiences and the joint action for the protection of the geological heritage of Europe, the utilization and promotion of the geological monuments and the participation in this of the most important geological monuments of the European area.
The aim of the Network is also the scientific cooperation between the management bodies of the geological monuments for the development of alternative types of tourism and the promotion of the sustainable development of the Geopark areas through Geotourism.
In April 2001, a cooperation agreement was signed between the European Geoparks Network and UNESCO, which participates in the Steering Committee and the Advisory Committee which constitute the two decision-making bodies of the Network. The members of the European Geoparks Network are the owners of the distinctive mark “European Geopark” which has been registered in all the countries of the European Union.
The Network is coordinated by the Coordination Committee based in the Réserve Géologique de Haute – Provence, which works in collaboration with the other members. The Coordinating Committee, consisting of two representatives from each managing member, meets at regular intervals to review the progress of the Network.
Within the framework of the European Geoparks Network, an Advisory Committee for the European Geoparks (Advisory Group) has been set up, consisting of two experts from each geographical area that has been a founding member of the network and a representative of UNESCO. The two experts should be recognized as such in the field of sustainable development based on geotourism as well as the protection and promotion of geological heritage.
The Coordinating Committee of the Network examines candidate applications in order to award the “European Geopark” label and is solely responsible for awarding the above title to the candidate area for inclusion.
The Network’s Coordinating Committee agrees to ensure the creation and the greatest possible expansion of the European Geoparks Network and the cooperating members.
A European Geopark, according to the founding declaration, is defined as an area, which has special elements of geological heritage and has drawn up and implemented a sustainable local development strategy supported by European Union programs for its promotion.
The main features in a European Geopark are:
1. It must have clear boundaries and enough surface area to allow for real sustainable development. It includes a significant number of sites of geological interest, based on their scientific importance, rarity, aesthetic appeal and educational value. The majority of sites of interest in the area of a European Geopark must be representative of the geological heritage, but they may also be of archaeological, ecological, historical or cultural interest.
2. Sites of interest in a European Geopark must be linked together in an organized network and supported by protection and management measures. In a European Geopark, practices that cause destruction or sale of geological objects are not allowed.
3. It must have an organized management body that is able to enforce policies to protect and highlight the geological heritage and sustainable development in its area.
4. It actively contributes to the economic development of its territory, through the promotion of its identity linked to the geological heritage and results in the development of Geotourism. In this way, it affects the living conditions of the local residents and the environment. Its aim is to enable residents to realize the values of the natural and cultural heritage and to actively participate in the cultural revitalization of the entire area.
5. It develops, makes progress and experiments, and promotes methods for the protection and promotion of geological heritage.
6. It supports environmental education, the education and development of scientific research in various sectors of geosciences, the upgrading of the natural environment and sustainable development policies.
7. It must work within the framework of the European Geoparks Network, in order to contribute to its coherence and its dynamics. It must work with local businesses to promote and support the creation of new products related to the geological heritage, in a spirit of complementarity with other members of the Network.
For more information please visit: European Geoparks Network
