Who can join?
Membership of EuroGeographics is open to any national body in geographic Europe responsible for geodetic surveying, topographic mapping, cadastral surveys and land registration. We currently represent organisations from 46 countries covering the whole of geographical Europe.
For more information, please contact Membership and Communications Manager, Patricia Sokacova
Partners
EuroGeographics works in partnership with organisations whose activities complement those of our members. These include EuroSDR, PCC, Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and others.
Connecting users to your data
We facilitate access to your data, services and expertise by:
- Promoting your data and geospatial services through our online member directory which links to national cadastral and geoportals.
- Creating pan-European datasets using our unique data integration process, which is an important example of international geospatial collaboration.
- Providing pan-European datasets to users including the European Union and its institutions, the United Nations, and through our licensed distributors and value-added resellers (VARs).
- Extending coverage, availability and use of our European datasets by applying for grant funding through EU projects.
- Publicising the benefits of your authoritative data to a wide range of users through a planned programme of marketing and public relations.
“Ukraine’s inclusion in EuroGeographics’ datasets not only promotes the integration and use of our national data within the European Institutions, but also demonstrates our commitment to international collaboration.”
Oleksii Pinchuk, Head of Directorate for European Integration and International Cooperation, StateGeoCadastre, Ukraine
Challenge
StateGeoCadastre Ukraine wanted to contribute its data to EuroRegionalMap (ERM), EuroGeographics’ pan-European multi-themed topographic mapping. The 1:250 000 scale dataset is created using harmonised national geospatial information, and StateGeoCadastre had to overcome a series of challenges to ensure its data met the required technical specifications.
Solution
Following the adoption of the law on the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), StateGeoCadastre is working alongside the Norwegian Mapping Authority on the implementation of the International Geospatial Integrated Framework (IGIF). The IGIF plays a crucial role as the‘handbook’ for creating an NSDI system in Ukraine.
As a result of this work, which includes the development of a state GNSS network and topographic map to ISO: 19100 standards, Ukraine can now provide updated data with the correct thematic attributes to ERM. In addition, the national data is supplied in a format which enables it to be harmonised to ERM’s standard specifications using EuroGeographics unique data integration process.
Benefits
- Promotes Ukraine’s national data to new users through its inclusion in a pan-European dataset
- Enables integration of national data to the European Spatial Data Infrastructure
- Demonstrates Ukraine’s commitment to adopting modern, technical international specifications for data harmonisation.
- Supports the creation of Integrated Hydrographic Network on the state border.
Connecting you to international policymakers
We represent your collective interests and expertise as a well-established and credible authority on European geospatial data from official national sources.
- Providing an engagement service to ensure that your roles, capabilities and concerns are understood in the European institutions.
- Influencing policy and legislation on your behalf in the European Parliament and Commission.
- Delivering information about key European and global policy developments through continuous policy monitoring, tracking and evaluation, including a weekly policy news summary for members.
- Contributing to UN policy by providing a collective voice for members in UN-GGIM.
- Supporting you in making the case for your authoritative data to your national government, as well as through our networks and partnerships.
“EuroGeographics is a platform for creating a strong network of geospatial agencies, exchanging knowledge and promoting the reuse of our data for European purposes. In particular, the Association proved its efficiency and strength in providing a European view on specific legal issues related to geospatial information management.”
Pier-Giorgio Zaccheddu, Head of Executive Unit – International Affairs, Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy, Germany
Challenge
Germany’s Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy and Working Committee of the Surveying Authorities of the Laender asked EuroGeographics members to support their view that geographical information extracted from a map is protected under the Database Directive.
The hearing at the European Court of Justice (CJEU) was the first time the Directive had been tested against maps and map data. It followed a challenge to a German court decision which found that official topographic data of Bavaria had been used in commercial leisure maps without paying the required licence fee.
Solution
EuroGeographics’ members, and in particular the Policy Knowledge Exchange Network, actively supported their German colleagues by outlining their collective concerns. Submissions were subsequently made to the CJEU by the German, Austrian, Belgian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish members. Six more members (Greece, France, Hungary, The Netherlands, Great Britain and Northern Ireland) offered to support for possible oral proceedings.
The CJEU found that geographical information extracted from a map is protected under the Database Directive. As a result, a map can be classified as a collection of independent materials which can be separated without affecting their informative value.
Benefits
- Supported members in Germany with the powerful collective voice of national organisations responsible for official geospatial data.
- Strengthened members’ interests and positions by providing a coordinated response.
- Presented compelling argument for the protection of maps and data (both analogue and digital) from official national sources.
- Clarified compliance of database protection and licensing practice with EU legislation on authoritative geospatial information and its re-use.
Connecting you to knowledge exchange opportunities
We offer opportunities for organisational and personal continuous professional development through the exchange of experience, ideas and best practice by:
- Providing access to a unique network of peers from across Europe to keep you connected, share knowledge and find solutions to common challenges.
- Delivering a comprehensive programme of knowledge exchange activities, including webinars, workshops, conferences, research papers and best practice guidelines driven by your requirements.
- Contributing to high profile collaborations with major international organisations, relevant associations and partners including UN-GGIM, EuroSDR and PCC.
- Supporting your continuing professional development with activities accredited by the Royal Geographical Society’s internationally recognised Chartered Geographer (CGeog) scheme, which is listed in the EU Regulated Professionals Database.
- Maintaining a searchable library of online resources, in addition to publishing regular member newsletters and stakeholder newsletters, an annual review and news releases.
“Participating in my first quality knowledge exchange meeting gave me a lot of confidence and a massive head start in creating my own quality model, without this I would not have accomplished my project. We work in a dynamic geo-world and every year there are new challenges waiting. That’s why it is good to have contact with peers to get tips and feedback, share experiences and stay informed of international developments.”
Karin Mertens, Quality Officer, National Geographic Institute, Belgium
Challenge
In her new role as Quality Officer at the National Geographic Institute in Belgium, Karin Mertens was responsible for developing a quality model for a new data production process. With limited experience, and her research revealing many different ISO standards, guidelines and quality management systems, she turned to EuroGeographics Quality Knowledge Exchange (QKEN) to help her make sense of this ‘information overload’.
Solution
Joining this group of experts, who were willing to share both their successes and failures, provided clarification on which definitions and ISO standards were relevant. This not only enabled Karin to focus on the information that was important to her project, but also highlighted future developments. She was also able to gain new knowledge at an international level and learn from the quality assurance and control methods used by other National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. Karin remains an active member of QKEN as it enables her to remain connected to the quality community to share experiences and keep up to date with the latest developments.
Benefits
- Provides clarification of ISO standards and clear definitions.
- Enables a focus on important aspects by identifying what was relevant.
- Raises awareness of activities on (inter)national level and enables participants to stay informed.
- Promotes learning through the sharing of successes and failures.
- Improves knowledge through contact with peers who share experiences, tips and feedback.