First Copernicus Services Case Studies Published

To meet end user requirements regarding data content and quality, Copernicus Services need access to open, up-to-date, and harmonised geospatial information across Europe. Data produced by National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, the members of EuroGeographics, is therefore key to its success.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) and EuroGeographics are strengthening cooperation to improve access to authoritative, up to date maps, geographic and land information. Their partnership is creating, maintaining, and implementing a Framework License agreement and exploring solutions for providing full, free, and open access to geospatial data for the Copernicus programme.

Three case studies are now available showing how official geospatial data contributes to the Copernicus Services:

Assessing flood risk and economic impact in the Drin river basin
Understanding the impact of extreme weather to plan preventive measures
Evaluating impact and erosion risk after devastating forest fire

Open Maps For Europe demonstrates demand for pan-European open data from official national sources

More than 4,000 registered users have downloaded around 4,700 datasets and carried out 6 million web service transactions via Open Maps For Europe.

The figures were announced by EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, which coordinated the project in partnership with the National Geographic Institute (NGI) Belgium.

The organisation also revealed the most popular dataset was EuroGlobalMap, multi-themed topographic open data at 1:1 million scale, followed by 1:250 000 scale EuroRegionalMap and EuroDEM, a 1:100 000 scale digital open data elevation model providing height data. The datasets are also discoverable on the European Data Portal and on the NGI Belgium data portal.

“We are delighted to announce that Open Maps For Europe has far exceeded its initial aim of increasing users of our pan-European datasets by 50%, instead achieving an 1600% increase - a clear indication of its success and demand for pan-European open data from official national sources,” says Victoria Persson, Project Manager – Data Access and Integration, EuroGeographics.

“This is the first time that these datasets, created using our members authoritative geospatial informationand EuroGeographics’ unique data integration process, have been easily discoverable, accessible, and released as open data under a single licence. Our customised approach harmonises official national geospatial information to standard specifications so users can be confident that it is consistent, comparable and easily shared.”

“The Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) project now builds upon this success by delivering a prototype for harmonised large-scale, high-value pan-European open dataset. OME2 will develop a new production process and technical specification for free-to-use, edge-matched data under a single open licence. Authoritative 1:10 000 scale data for 10 countries will be delivered via the Open Maps For Europe online interface, developed by IDOX France.”

The award-winning Open Maps For Europe project was co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union. The OME2 project, co-funded by the European Union, is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency, The Netherlands.

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, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities.

Open Maps For Europe was completed at the end of 2022. It was co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union, and coordinated by EuroGeographics in partnership with the National Geographic Institute (NGI) Belgium.

The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of EuroGeographics and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.

Fourth International Workshop on Spatial Data Quality launches call for abstracts

Abstracts are now being accepted for the fourth International Workshop on Spatial Data Quality to be held in Brussels and online on 11 and 12 October 2023. The deadline for submissions is 17 July.

The 2023 event is organised by not-for-profit organisations, EuroGeographics, which represents Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities (NMCAs), and EuroSDR, the European Spatial Data Research network that links NMCAs with Research Institutes and Universities. It brings together producers, users, academia and software suppliers to debate spatial data quality, with a particular focus on the impact of new technologies.

Carol Agius, Head of Representation and Stakeholder Engagement, EuroGeographics said: “We are living through a time where trust is becoming more important, because it is becoming harder to gauge and measure. A large aspect of trust is based on source and provenance, and NMCAs have long been viewed as the source of official and high-quality spatial data for evidence-based decision making.”

“This workshop will address a wide range of topics examining how data providers can ensure that their data continues to be trusted, as well as ways they can bring together data from multiple sources to ensure seamless, high-quality datasets and communicate the quality, relevance and content to users.”

Joep Crompvoets, Secretary General of EuroSDR added: “Innovative technologies are being employed to capture, manage, maintain and update spatial data faster and more effectively. While NMCAs are implementing these new efficient and cost-effective methods, they also need to ensure that there is no impact on quality and that their processes are keeping up with both technological advances and user expectations for data accuracy. We look forward to discussing possible solutions to these and other challenges in October.”

Papers are invited on all topics related to spatial data quality, including (but not limited to):

• Lifecycle management

• Qualitative differences in methods of edge-matching

• Generalisation – maintaining quality

• Harmonisation

• Quality evaluation of spatial data

• Use of international metadata and standards

• Quality issues in spatial data infrastructures (e.g. national, INSPIRE)

• Communication/visualisation of spatial data quality

• Spatial data usability/quality from the users perspective

• Impact of data quality on decision making

• Data Quality and AI (including algorithms)

• Data Quality and 3D

• Research trends in spatial data quality

• Practical implementation of spatial data quality assessment

• Quality standards

• Software for measuring quality

• Quality of 3rd party data, crowdsourced/OSM etc.

• Spatial data quality policies

• Data quality and trust

All abstract submissions will be independently reviewed by the programme committee members.

Programme Committee

• Jonathan Holmes (Committee Chair), Ordnance Survey

• Carol Agius, EuroGeographics

• Victoria Persson, EuroGeographics

• Joep Crompvoets, EuroSDR/KU Leuven

• Anouk Huisman, Kadaster Netherlands

• Tony Baving, Kadaster Netherlands

• Frédéric Cantat, EuroSDR/IGN France

• Nóemie Gremeaux, IGN France

• Joren Van Gysegem NGI Belgium

• Karin Mertens, NGI Belgium

• Kevin Thompson, Tailte Éireann

• Nienke Eernisse, Ordnance Survey

More information is available here.

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, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities.

Issue 01/23 of Messenger Newsletter

The latest issue of our Messenger newsletter has been published.

Catch up on the launch of OME2, #MoreThanMaps case studies from Members, the Fourth International Workshop on Spatial Data Quality and more ...

https://bit.ly/EGNewsletter0123

 

EuroGeographics renews agreement with Kadaster Netherlands to provide UN-GGIM: Europe Secretariat

Colin Bray, President of EuroGeographics (left) is pictured with Frank Tierolff, Chair Executive Board Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency, The Netherlands (right) at the signing of the SLA.

EuroGeographics has renewed its Service Level Agreement with The Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster) to provide secretariat services for the European regional committee of experts for global geospatial information management – UN-GGIM: Europe.

The membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastre and Land Registry Authorities, which has UN-GGIM: Europe observer status, has supported the Executive Committee in delivering its objectives since 2015.

Tomaz Petek, Chair of the UN-GGIM: Europe Executive Committee, said: “The Netherlands is responsible for providing a secretariat to UN-GGIM: Europe and has done so very successfully for the past eight years through its agreement with EuroGeographics. We are pleased that it has once again entrusted this role to the Association which has extensive experience of bringing organisations together to find solutions to common challenges.”

Carol Agius, Head of Representation and Stakeholder Engagement, EuroGeographics provides the Secretariat to UN-GGIM: Europe, promoting its activities and ensuring that relevant organisations are well informed about the initiative.

She commented: “It is a great privilege to fulfil this important role and to continue to support the work of UN-GGIM: Europe which contributes to the more effective management, availability and integration of geospatial information in Europe. For the mapping agencies that we represent, UNGGIM is an important forum to advocate their contribution to the better understanding and sustainable development of our world.”

EuroGeographics is an Observer on the UN-GGIM Europe Executive Committee and an Observer organisation at the UN-GGIM Committee of Experts.

It recently announced a collaboration with UN-GGIM to unlock the power of geospatial data to benefit people and planet by providing a platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building.

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, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities.

To find out more about UN-GGIM: Europe, please visit www.un-ggim-europe.org

 

EuroGeographics and EUROGI agree collaboration to promote use of geospatial data

EuroGeographics and EUROGI have announced a collaboration to promote the widespread use of geospatial data.

The European not-for-profit associations, which represent national mapping, cadastral and land registration authorities, and users and producers of geospatial data, respectively, will work together on activities of mutual interest. These include opportunities for knowledge exchange and the sharing of expertise and best practice.

Colin Bray, President of EuroGeographics, said: “We are proud to represent official providers of geospatial data across geographical Europe. Members’ accurate, high quality, reliable high-value location data is fundamental to everyday life and underpin the infrastructures we rely on as a modern society. We are committed to working with them to ensure it can be easily accessed by users and producers. Furthering our cooperation with EUROGI is a very positive step in achieving our vision of a society empowered by the use of trusted geospatial data and services.”

Hans Breemerch, President of EUROGI added: “As a non-governmental umbrella organisation for geographic information, we provide an insight into the needs of a wide range of users and producers. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with EuroGeographics to realise our vision for location-based information and technologies to serve as core enablers of the European digital society.”

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Colin Bray, President of EuroGeographics (left) and Hans Breemerch, President of EUROGI (right) at Geospatial World Forum 2023.

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, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities.

EUROGI is the independent not-for-profit non-governmental umbrella organisation for geographic information representing users and producers from all sectors of European society.

To find out more about EUROGI, please visit https://eurogi.org/

New Location Innovation Academy — learn about geospatial data interoperability

Location Innovation Academy supports improving access, interoperability and integration of geospatial data and services, for free.

The accessibility, interoperability, and integration of cross-border geospatial data and services have been accelerated in the GeoE3 project over the past two years. We are now offering the knowledge and ideas produced in the project to all interested parties by publishing the online training program called "Location Innovation Academy". This free and constantly evolving online training package includes three different courses, from which the learner can choose the modules to develop their skills. 

This online programme is specifically targeted to national mapping agencies, meteorological institutions and other organizations producing geospatial data from different countries. However, in practice anyone can join the academy and start studying. You can start your studies by logging in to Moodle for free. You can study when it is best for yourself, regardless of place and time. After studying the course, you can print yourself a certificate.

Give us feedback

 Our learning materials offer a comprehensive set of modules that supports modern and cross-border management, integration, processing, and sharing of geospatial data. Some of the course contents are suitable for beginners, while some are more for experienced and technical experts who want to deepen their skills, for example, in the OGC API standards. The content of the modules has been produced by an international team of experts from all over Europe. 

GeoE3 project will soon end. Location Innovation Academy's maintenance responsibilities as well as further development management are transferred to OGC and Location Innovation Hub. If any other project or organization is interested in producing a learning module as part of the Location Innovation Academy, we are happy to provide our platform for that. 

We also welcome feedback on modules. Feedback can be left directly at Moodle or contact OGC. We will monitor with interest what kind of feedback we receive from different user groups and improve materials based on the feedback received. 

Log in to Moodle: https://academy.ogc.org  

For more information: https://geoe3.eu/academy 

Contact:  innovation@ogc.org

Job Opportunity at EuroGeographics – Head of Finance & Administration

About EuroGeographics:

EuroGeographics is the European Association gathering 60 National Mapping and Cadastral Agencies from 45 countries throughout Europe.

EuroGeographics supports the public good by representing its members’ interests, maintaining networks that help members improve their capabilities and role, and by facilitating access to and use of its members’ geospatial data and services. By providing a single point of contact, we enable government, business and citizens to benefit from their collective expertise, products and services.

More information can be found on our website.

The Purpose of the Job

The purpose of the job is to maintain the appropriate financial management procedures and controls for EuroGeographics and to ensure compliance with all fiscal and regulatory requirements as an AISBL. The post-holder provides the Association’s decision-making bodies with the appropriate financial reports and interpretation, and is responsible for advising on the procedure and taking the associated administrative actions necessary to ensure Eurogeographics meets all its legal and administrative obligations. They have overall responsibility for the HR, administrative and IT activities that facilitate the smooth running of the Association and its headquarters.
 

The job holder is responsible for:

Financial Management

  • Prepare management account for the Association on a monthly basis and prepare the annual full statutory financial statements, working with a certified accountant. Preparing and presenting finance reports to Management Board on a regular basis.
  • Complete and filing tax returns, making VAT returns and payment. Liaising with the auditors, filling the Association’s accounts with the relevant authorities. Managing EuroGeographics’ bank accounts and investments, Managing the relationship with the certified accountant and auditor as required.
  • Managing the Association’s payroll in Belgium, Malta and France and management of the Association’s pension schemes. When required, researches and introduces payrolls for other countries to ensure we meet the legal and contractual obligations. Ensures adherence to Belgium collective bargaining agreement.
  • Overseeing the bookkeeping and processing of invoices and travel claims. Responsible for: verifying and authorising payments and maintaining efficient internal financial procedures, internal controls and internal auditing of the financial procedure to ensure due diligence; and raising invoices and call for subscriptions.
  • Ensure cash flow is appropriate for EuroGeographics' operations and perform risk management by analysing liabilities and investments.
  • Ensuring compliance to all the financial obligations in the framework of project co-financed by the European Commission and European Institutions. This includes being part of the bidding team putting the budget together for EuroGeographics, and the global budget if EuroGeographics acts as the co-ordinator. Budget monitoring and reporting during the course of the project and the preparation of documents for, and answering, external audits.
  • Acting as the main contact point on the EU portals, ensuing compliance with all the legal obligations when tendering and when signing Grant Agreements.
  • Responsible for the financial policies and procedures of the Association.
  • Providing direction and guidance on the financial strategy of the Association.

Association Governance and Compliance

  • Manages compliance with the Belgium legal and fiscal regulatory environment, ensures that EuroGeographics is meeting its legal and administrative obligations under the Articles of Association and Belgium law, such as keeping of staff records, ensure health and safety compliance, and acts as a point of contact with insurance brokers, social secretariat etc.
  • Management of the procurement process, and formalising contracts with suppliers.
  • Manages compliance with the Articles of Association and the Association’s rules and regulations. Manages the Association’s formal business working with the Secretary General and Executive Director, specifically the voting at the General Assembly. Works with the Treasurer to present the accounts and budget to the General Assembly.

Office Management and Administration

  • Responsible for overseeing the office administration activities that facilitate the smooth running of the Association.
  • Responsible for managing the continued modernisation and digitalisation of the office.
  • Overseeing the office lease, reviewing office accommodation to ensure it remains fit for purpose, and reviewing alternatives if required. If an office move was required, the Head of Finance and Administration would lead this activity.
  • Responsible for overseeing the IT functions, equipment, software and activities, which are delegated to the Office Manager.

Human resources

  • Working closely with the senior management team to ensure employment contacts are negotiated to meet the needs of the Association and appropriate national legislation.
  • To ensure the HR functions of the Association are managed efficiently, putting in place the necessary administrative arrangements.
  • Maintaining a registry of all employees and contractors.

Knowledge, skills and experience

  • Five to 10 years’ experience as a Head of Finance or Administration with at least five years’ experience as a Finance Manager.
  • Qualification in accounting and a good knowledge of tools such as SAGE-bob.
  • Excellent knowledge of data analysis and forecasting methods and proven Excel skills.
  • Experience of dealing with payroll in Belgium and other European countries.
  • Knowledge and familiarity with the Belgium legal and cultural environment.
  • Previous knowledge and experience of managing the finances of EU funded projects, ideally when the organisation is the project co-ordinator. This includes working with the project team to formulate the project bid, create the budget for the consortium, working with the project partners and providing them with support. For successful EU projects, managing the project finances and ensuring the Association has a complete financial overview with regular and detailed reporting in compliance with Commission requirements.
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills.
  • Working successfully in a multidisciplinary and multinational team.
  • Experience of working in a small to medium sized organisation, either within the public or not-for-profit sector, or ideally working in a membership organisation.
  • Experience of managing and mentoring people.
  • Ability to work at a senior level and have the confidence and conviction to present at Board level.
  • Excellent communication skills with fluent English - the Association’s business language is English but must also fluently speak French with Dutch being a nice to have,

Behaviours and Competencies

  • Personal drive and self-motivation – ability to take the initiative and work independently.
  • The ability to be innovative and proactive.
  • Team player, who is able to take a cooperative and collaborative approach.
  • Able to challenge constructively whist maintaining professional and positive working environment.
  • Commercial awareness.
  • Analytical and focused on problem solving.
  • Ability to respond to tenders.

Contacts and communications

Typical regular contacts/communications of this post:

  • Internal: EuroGeographics Secretary General and Executive Director, and the wider EuroGeographics Team.
  • Organisational: Management Board, President, Treasurer and EuroGeographics members, specifically members who are part of European Commission funded project i.e., OME2
  • Outsourced Support: Certified accountants, payroll providers, pension providers, Association’s legal advisors
  • Other service providers: Auditors and insurance providers.
  • External: Landlord of the EuroGeographics’ Head Office, tax officials, bank officials, insurance brokers, social secretariat, lawyers, accountants and European Commission auditors.

Decisions made independently by the post holder

The job involves a wide range of autonomous decision masking, within the overall strategic framework of the Association and consistent with the operating plan and budget approved each year by the General Assembly. Decisions to be made by the job holder include:

  • Movement of money between investment and cash accounts.
  • Approving and authorising of payments up to 5,000 euros.
  • Insurance requirements.
  • Filing of fiscal and administrative reports to Belgium authorities.

Leadership and team-working

This post has staff management responsibility:

  • Management of the Office and IT Manager.

Requirements

  • Must be able to work in the EU and be based in Brussels.
  • This role is offered under a full-time employment contract.
  • A flexible working European environment for a worthy cause in a pleasant atmosphere.
  • Possible travel required.
  • Salary range 60,000 – 70,000 euros depending on knowledge and experience

Starting date: as soon as possible

Applications for this position – a CV and a motivation letter – should be sent to matina.fuentes@eurogeographics.org with the subject line: “Head of Finance & Administration– Name and Surname”.

Only complete applications will be considered. Please note that due to time constraints, we will only answer the applicants that are selected for a first round of interview. Thank you for your understanding.

Project launched to prototype large-scale high-value pan-European datasets

National providers of geospatial information have today announced plans to create a prototype for harmonised large-scale, high-value pan-European open datasets.

Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) will develop a new production process and technical specification for free-to-use, edge-matched data under a single open licence. Authoritative 1:10 000 scale data for 10 countries will be delivered via the user interface built by the award-winning Open Maps For Europe Project.

The prototype will provide three datasets, identified as key themes by users and defined as high-value in European Commission’s implementing rules for the Open Data and reuse of Public Sector Information Directive – administrative boundaries, transport and hydrography. OME2 will also enhance the five existing Open Maps For Europe datasets, including the pilot Open Cadastral Map.

The OME2 project, co-funded by the European Union, is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency, The Netherlands.

“Data is at the very start of the value chain, and the European Commission recognises geospatial as high-value data (HVD) offering a wealth of opportunities for reuse due to its compatibility with other datasets,” says Victoria Persson, Project Manager – Data Access and Integration, EuroGeographics.

“By addressing the challenge of finding, accessing and licensing authoritative pan-European harmonised edge-matched, large-scale data, OME2 benefits both users and national providers of geospatial information.”

“For users, it saves time by providing machine-readable data as APIs from one central portal under one easy-to-understand open data licence. As a result, they will no longer need to visit individual Member State geoportals to access specific datasets, spend significant resources connecting them, or agree to multiple licences.”

“For our members, who are recognised as important enablers of cross-border data applications and services, the prototype shows how public sector demand for geospatial information in all common data spaces of the European Strategy for Data can be met.”

“Furthermore, by allowing data to be easily uploaded, converted to the specification for each HVD theme, harmonised and edge-matched, OME2 will enable members to re-use techniques nationally and share good practices, advancing the data sharing tools needed to deliver free-flowing, interoperable data for the single market.”

The project corresponds with Member States’ obligations to implement high-value data and will be completed at the end of 2025.

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, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. Open Maps For Europe was co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union and ended in 2022. It was coordinated by EuroGeographics, the voice of European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, in partnership with the National Geographic Institute (NGI) Belgium.

OME2

The OME2 project is co-funded by the European Union. It is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Agency, The Netherlands.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

EuroGeographics Annual Review 2022

EuroGeographics and its members are working together to provide the high-quality data and services that underpin the infrastructures relied on by modern society.

From realising green transition and digital transformation, to supporting health, biodiversity and economic policies, and providing easy, accurate access to land and property information, they are contributing to a sustainable, safer, and prosperous world.

The case studies in the 2022 Annual Review show the value of our members’ data and expertise.