EuroGeographics pledges support for global geospatial information framework

EuroGeographics has welcomed a new guide for improving location-based data management and reconfirmed its active support for an integrated global geospatial information framework.

At the Eighth Session of the UN-GGIM in New York, Mick Cory, Secretary General and Executive Director of theinternational not-for-profit association, congratulated the UN Statistics Division and World Bank on their work to develop an integrated geospatial information framework as an overarching strategic policy guide and reference.

To help communicate, coordinate and implement this framework in Europe, EuroGeographics is offering to further facilitate access to its members, the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs),through its extensive programme of activities for sharing expertise and knowledge.

Mr Cory said: “We share the UN and World Bank’s strategic aim of improving capacity and capability in the area of national spatial data infrastructures. European NMCAs play an important role in UN-GGIM and our members place tremendous value on collaborating to find solutions to common challenges with many already providing expert assistance to low and middle income countries. We are committed to exploring how we can help further facilitate access through this framework.”

“EuroGeographics has a well-established network for exchanging knowledge and expertise, as well as a successful track record of delivering geospatial information and projects, which can be used to avoid duplication of effort and promote complementarity. Members’ willingness to share experiences and best practice is central to the success of our Knowledge Exchange Networks.”

“The Knowledge Exchange Networks, which include our high-level General Assembly for the Heads of European NMCAs, cover a wide range of subjects, including policy, surveying, data quality, positioning and licensing. They provide a forum for discussing issues of mutual interest through a comprehensive calendar of annual events, including webinars, workshops and conferences, and also issue a range of publications such as the results of research, policy papers and best practice guidelines.” 

Mr Cory also welcomed the publication of a new UN and World Bank guide for improving location-based data management to better inform decision-making. He added that he hoped the recent action plan piloted by EuroGeographics members in Albania would help others learn and develop the detailed implementation plans outlined within it.

EuroGeographics actively supports and contributes to the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management initiative (UN-GGIM) and is also an observer on the Executive Committee of UN- GGIM: Europe, for which it provides the secretariat.

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For further information please contact press@eurogeographics.org.

Notes to Editors

EuroGeographics

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration:  833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastre and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together 63 members from 46 countries.

To find out more about EuroGeographics, please visit www.eurogeographics.org.

Vacancy: EuroGeographics Services Development Consultant

EuroGeographics is the membership Association of the National Mapping, Land Registry and Cadastral Agencies from across Europe. EuroGeographics’ mission is to further the development of the European Spatial Data Infrastructure through collaboration in the area of geographical information, including topographic information, cadastre and land information.

We are looking for a consultant to lead EuroGeographics’ contribution in data supply and data contributors’ activities to the “Open European Location Services (Open ELS) project” which is co-financed by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility. 

 A description of the work and the required skill set can be downloaded here. 

If you are interested in this contract opportunity from 1 September 2018 – 31 May 2018 please email a short covering letter detailing relevant experience, your day rate and any additional contract costs in euro, and a copy of your CV to Sallie Payne sallie.payne@eurogeographics.org by 20th August 2018. For further information please contact Helen Kaestner, ELS Transition Programme Manager, Helen.Kaestner@eurogeographics.org

Save the date: Workshop on Smart Land Administration

Join this side event on 3 December 2018 at the world’s leading annual start-up event, Slush and learn how technology is changing land administration. The event is sponsored by local industry and the National Land Survey of Finland.

The agenda includes:

  • Discussion on impact of disruptive technologies by the top global influencers in the industry.
  • Evaluation ofthe impact of platform economy to land administration operations, as well on the government as the private and NGO sectors.
  • Examples, visions and new ways of using geospatial data to maximise benefits.
    Places are limited and registration opens in September.

More information

 

Open ELS Project publishes data policy

Harmonised geospatial data from official national sources will be free to access and available under an open licence through the Open European Location Services (Open ELS) Project.

The newly-published Open ELS data policy sets out the principals for accessing and reusing the data and services delivered by the Open ELS Project. In doing so, it provides certainty, to both users and the participating National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities, about what open data is free and under what terms and conditions.

“This document defines open data available from the Open ELS Project, as well as a common vision and approach for licensing it,” says Dominik Kopczewski, Policy Development Manager at the international not-for-profit organisation, EuroGeographics, which is co-ordinating the Open ELS Project.

“It was developed with feedback from National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities and complements their national activities whilst also respecting their national policy, legislative and business requirements.”

Read the Open ELS Data Policy and summary of research on scope of open geospatial data from official national sources across Europe.

Meeting with Geodesy, Cartography & Cadastre Agency (GCCA) Bulgaria

A delegation from EuroGeographics, led by Mick Cory, Secretary General and Executive Director, met recently with the senior team at the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Agency (GCCA) of Bulgaria and senior representatives of the Bulgarian Military Geographic Service.

Mick, who was accompanied by Patricia Sokacova, Membership and Communications Manager and Angela Baker, Sales, Marketing and Channel Manager, outlined EuroGeographics' new strategy and how it represents members' interests, builds and shares knowledge and facilitates access to members’ data and services. He also spoke about current demands for up to date members’ data from the European Commission and related institutions.

Mr. Stefan Petrov, Director of Information Systems Directorate, GCCA, presented the work of GCCA, and the challenges of coordinating spatial data infrastructure in Bulgaria.

The meeting provided a fascinating and informative insight into the important work of the GCCA and explored options for further development and engagement in the future.

2018 Extraordinary General Assembly and member workshops

Representatives from 34 member organisations participated in EuroGeographics 2018 Extraordinary General Assembly, held in Leuven, Belgium. 

As well as launching a new logo and branding, the two-day event also gave a preview of the Association’s new website. Keynote speaker, Michael Standar, Chief Strategy and External Affairs, SESAR presented on joint undertakings and international collaboration.

Members also heard updates on products and the European Location Framework whilst Eurostat and Copernicus explained how geospatial data from official sources is used within the European Commission.

The agenda also included discussions on legislation, partnerships, UN-GGIM: Europe and a lively session on Knowledge Exchange.

The Extraordinary General Assembly was followed by workshops on development and funding and disruptive technologies.

Open Data and European Location Services, Digital Single Market

Come and discuss the topics and issues related to Open European Location Services (ELS), Open Data Policy and Licensing workshop on 22 March 2018 in Brussels.

Meeting will provide an opportunity to learn about the open data policy and licensing framework for the Open ELS Project. These have been drafted using the results of our recent survey on open data already available from official national sources across geographical Europe.

On 23 March a joint Policy and Business Interoperability Knowledge Exchange Network (PolKEN+BIKEN) meeting will follow at the sme venue, focused on Digital Single Market Report,Copernicus, GDPR and other imporant themes of the geo-community.

Don't miss the opportunity to learn and dicsuss with colleagues and experts from whole Europe. If you haven't register yet, do so as soon as possible.

More details on the Open Data Workshop…

Registration and details of the Joint meeting PolKEN and BIKEN…

Targeted audience for both meetings are the EuroGeographics members and invited guests.

Come and Learn About Use of Algorithms on Big DEMs

EuroSDR invites you to a workshop discussing:

“Use of algorithms on big DEMs – Better utilization of national detailed elevation models”

The workshop will be arranged on 4th-5th April 2018 as a noon to noon meeting at the County Governor’s office in Tønsberg, Norway.

We welcome speakers from industry, academia and government.

Possible topics (not in prioritized order): Discuss the use of algorithms on big DEM’s, in the following applications:

  1. Automatic detection of waterbodies in LiDAR
  2. Improvement of hydro network
  3. Mapping of poles and powerlines
  4. Obstacles for aviation – International view ICAO
  5. DEM from image matching – Multispectral Analysis
  6. Copernicus – Creating DTM’s on hydrography
  7. Cloud computing (AWS) – Automatic corrections in preparation of DTM’s
  8. DEM Analysis using Machine or deep Learning Algorithms
  9. New data acquisition techniques and their processing (multispectral ALS, single- photon lidar)

Don't miss the opportunity to learn and discuss, deadline for submitting abstracts is today 1st March.

More details and practicalities…

Open ELS Products & Services workshop

A successful OpenELS Products & Services workshop was held on 16–17th January in Edinburgh, supported by kind hosts Registers of Scotland. The workshop was attended by task leaders and others providing input into Activity 4. The agenda included an opportunity for everyone to share progress and agree next steps.

The main focus was on defining products and services to be delivered in OpenELS, based on analysis from user workshop and the recent survey to members on data availability. Outputs from the workshop will be developed further over the coming weeks.

European Location Services Transition Updates

EuroGeographics INSPIRE KEN is organising a webinar – ‘Progress in ELS transition’ – with the main goal to update you on outcomes and achievements since the end of the ELF project in October 2016.

This webinar will be held on Monday 12 March, from 13.00 to 14.30 CET.

It is targeted to EuroGeographics members, i.e. to National Mapping and Cadastre Authorities.

Don't miss the opportunity to learn about the European Location Services latest news!Book your seat in the virtual conference room as soon as possible.

More information and registration…