European Geopark Network and Geotourism

Established in 2000, the European Geoparks Network (EGN) aims to protect geodiversity, to promote geological heritage to the general public, as well as to support sustainable economic development of geopark territories, primarily through the development of geological tourism.
   The network has drawn together territories from across Europe that share these aims and now work together in an active and dynamic way in order to achieve them. Originally consisting of four territories, the network has been expanded to include, as of May 2010, 37 territories across 15 European countries.
   In 2001 the European Geoparks Network signed a formal agreement with the UNESCO Division of Earth Sciences, whereby UNESCO gave the network its endorsement.
   A further agreement was signed with UNESCO in 2004 whereby the EGN was given the responsibility for regulating membership of European Geoparks in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. As a result the EGN acts as the European sector of GGN.
   The structure of the European Geoparks Network is relatively simple and comprises an Advisory Committee (11 members including representatives of UNESCO, IUGS and IUCN) and a Coordination Committee (comprising of two representatives from each member). Decisions concerning the network are only taken by the Coordination Committee. As part of the Coordination Committee, there is an elected EGN Coordinator and Vice Coordinator to represent the whole Network. They coordinate contacts with other international bodies (E.U., UNESCO, IUGS, IUCN, Council of Europe etc.) and prepare the agenda of the meetings in cooperation with the meeting hosts.
   The European Geoparks Network adopted a common logo which is registered in all European countries. An EGN member has the right to use the European Geopark logo in its communications thereby contributing over time to creating a common image of quality, linking the enhancement of European Earth heritage with sustainable development.
   Membership of the EGN, entitles a Geopark to use the logo of the EGN in its promotional material and is entitled to call itself a European Geopark. According to the Madonie Declaration, it is also entitled to use the appropriate logo of the Global Network of Geoparks. These logos must only be used on products produced directly by the Geopark management.
   In order to achieve high quality standards in Geoparks, the EGN decided to establish an evaluation procedure for all new applications. Evaluation missions are undertaken by two Geopark experts who are sent to the applicant territory to evaluate the application and to discuss the application with the relevant national and local authorities as well as stakeholders and local communities.