EU stakeholders stress strategic importance of trusted geospatial infrastructure

EU stakeholders have highlighted the strategic importance of National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs) in providing the trusted infrastructure on which Europe relies.

Keynote speakers at the EuroGeographics Annual General Assembly stressed that official, interoperable and sovereign geospatial data is essential to the dynamic, real-time decision-support systems needed to ensure Europe’s strength, security and prosperity. The 2026 event, hosted by the National Geographic Institute Belgium as part of its 50th anniversary programme, brought together more than 130 leaders from 48 members of the not-for-profit association for European NMCAs in Ostend to strengthen connections and share expertise.

Tomaž Petek, President of EuroGeographics, said: “As a founding member of EuroGeographics, NGI Belgium reflects the collaborative spirit that defines our Association. That spirit has already delivered real results through Open Maps For Europe 2 and now drives our shared ambition to make a sovereign pan-European geospatial reference framework a reality.”

Sallie Payne Snell, Secretary General and Executive Director of EuroGeographics, added: “The General Assembly is a unique event for heads of NMCAs, demonstrating how much can be achieved by a community united in purpose and ambition, whether through knowledge exchange, a collective voice or a commitment to using capabilities and data to benefit people and planet.”

During the two-day event, members elected Eydis Líndal Finnbogadóttir of the Natural Science Institute of Iceland and Constantin Osoianu of the Agency for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre of the Republic of Moldova to the Association’s Management Board.

They also re-elected Cora Smelik of the Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency and Mārtiņš Liberts of the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency for a further term.

As a result, EuroGeographics Management Board now comprises:

• Tomaž Petek, President, Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia.
• Nicolas Paparoditis , Vice President, National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France.
• Eydís Líndal Finnbogadottir, Natural Science Institute, Iceland.
• Matt Goodman, Ordnance Survey, Great Britain.
• Martins Liberts, Latvian Geospatial Information Agency.
• Constantin Osoianu, Agency for Geodesy, Cartography andCadastre, Moldova.
• Cora Smelik, The Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency.
• Suren Tovmasyan, Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia.
• Pier-Giorgio Zaccheddu, Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy, Germany.

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. 

Development underway on EuroCoreReferenceMap – a new dataset to strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty

National mapping authorities from France, Germany and the Netherlands, together with their membership association, EuroGeographics, today (24 February 2026) announced that development is underway on EuroCoreReferenceMap, a new pan‑European dataset.

EuroCoreReferenceMap will be the only high‑value, large‑scale geospatial dataset created specifically for EU policymakers by national mapping organisations using their authoritative national data. It will cover all EU Member States and Switzerland, with the ambition to incorporate data from official sources across geographical Europe.

Developed through a unique production process underpinned by national expertise, the dataset integrates core geospatial information to deliver three EU priority themes: Administrative boundaries, Transport networks, and Hydrography.  The project builds on the success of the Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) project and runs until the end of 2028.

The EuroCoreReferenceMap Consortium – France’s National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN France), Germany’s Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), The Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster Netherlands) and EuroGeographics – have committed significant investment to its development. They have the backing of EuroGeographics members – Europe's National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities – who endorsed the three‑year initiative at the Association’s 2025 General Assembly.

“Geospatial data from our members is a vital component of Europe's critical infrastructure and one of its most valuable sovereign assets for evidence-based decision-making," says Angela Baker, Head of Operations and Data, EuroGeographics.

"EuroCoreReferenceMap further strengthens Europe's digital sovereignty by making authoritative pan-European data more interoperable, accessible and useable. This enhanced capability supports EU‑wide systems and enables cross‑domain applications for Europe’s strategic priorities – from security and climate resilience to sustainable mobility.”

Nicolas Paparoditis, Deputy Director‑General, IGN France and Member of EuroGeographics Management Board, explains: “OME2 showed how effectively Europe’s national mapping authorities can collaborate to transform EU high‑value data requirements into a practical solution aligned with UN GGIM recommendations. Our continued work in geospatial data harmonisation supports Member States by reducing duplication and promoting reusable techniques and shared good practices.”

Pier-Giorgio Zaccheddu, Head of Unit General Policy Geoinformation, BKG and Member of EuroGeographics Management Board, adds: "EuroCoreReferenceMap marks a new era for authoritative geospatial data, establishing a pan‑European geospatial reference framework. As the foundation for a future European Geospatial Data Infrastructure, this enables the integration of critical environmental and statistical datasets, empowering decision-makers to respond to cross-border challenges with confidence.”

Cora Smelik, Member of the Executive Board, Kadaster Netherlands and Member of EuroGeographics Management Board, concludes: “High quality and reliability define the work of EuroGeographics members. Through our production process, harmonisation and generalisation tools, EuroCoreReferenceMap delivers consistent, authoritative data, enhances decision-making by simplifying complex geographic information, and improves usability whilst also strengthening the data‑sharing capabilities essential for the single market.”

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 2 (OME2)

OME2 ended in December 2025 and provided a proof-of-concept that bridges policy and practice to transform INSPIRE and HVD requirements into accessible and useable pan-European data. It was co-funded by the EU and delivered by a strong consortium of partners: EuroGeographics; the National Geographic Institute of Belgium; the National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information of France; Hellenic Cadastre; the General Directorate for the Cadastre of Spain; and the Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency of the Netherlands. Views and opinions expressed are 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.

OME2 successfully delivers harmonised cross-border data as 18,000 users download 15,500 datasets

More than 18,000 users have downloaded some 15,500 pan-European datasets and carried out 96.4 million web service transactions since Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) launched in early 2023.

The three-year project saw users of the Open Maps For Europe platform increase by 450% – from 4,000 to just over 22,000. In particular, the OME2 high-value large-scale prototype exceeded expectations, attracting 600 registered users – more than quadruple the initial target of 150.  

Since its release in 2024, the 1:10,000 scale authoritative dataset, covering administrative boundaries, transport and hydrography across 10 countries, has generated nearly 5,000 WFS transactions. It is the first dataset created using the new production process, developed by OME2 Consortium member, National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN France), to deliver edge-matched official geospatial information from multiple national sources.

In addition to IGN France, the project partners comprise: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency, The Netherlands.

Angela Baker, Head of Operations and Data, EuroGeographics said: ““The consortium is delighted to report that the project has achieved all its objectives and significantly increased the number of users of pan-European data.”

“OME2 creates the foundation for a pan-European Spatial Data Infrastructure by solving the complex challenge of delivering usable sovereign data across Europe. This fulfils a long-standing EU requirement for streamlined access to an authoritative cross-border dataset without navigating multiple national portals or complex data integration.”

“The production process and technical specifications save users time, effort, and resources by providing harmonised data from multiple countries through a single portal with one easy-to-understand licence. This advances the data-sharing tools needed for free-flowing, interoperable data across the single market. It also supports the European Strategy for Data, as well as the Open Data and Public Sector Information Directive by enabling EuroGeographics members to apply OME2 techniques nationally and share best practices."

OME2 has delivered:

High-value large-scale pan European prototype

• 1: 10 000 scale authoritative administrative boundary, transport and hydrographic data for Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
• Data in Geopackage download by theme, country or administrative area or WFS, WMS or WMTS via the Open Maps For Europe portal.

New production process and technical specification

• Underpinned by national expertise in integration of core geospatial data.
• Quality, edge-matching, harmonisation and generalisation tools

Enhanced existing datasets available via the Open Maps For Europe portal including:

Open Cadastral Map: the prototype map service for European cadastral data

• Includes all 15 planned countries with Basemap introduced to aid user experience.
• Delivery of a pan-European Cadastral Data Strategy.

OME2 ran from 2023 to the end of 2025. It was co-funded by the European Union with matched investment from EuroGeographics and its members.

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.

The OME2 project was co-funded by the European Union. It was 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.

Views and opinions expressed are 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.

OME2 adds five new countries and hydrography theme to final release of high-value data prototype

Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) has released the final version of its high-value large-scale pan European prototype which now covers 10 countries.

The milestone means that 1: 10 000 scale authoritative administrative boundary, transport and hydrographic data is available for Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland and The Netherlands. Created using a unique production process that harmonises and edge-matches official geospatial data from national mapping, land registration and cadastral agencies (NMCAs) into a single dataset, the prototype is available via the Open Maps For Europe portal.

OME2 is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit association representing the European NMCAs; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France (IGN France); Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster), The Netherlands.

Angela Baker, Head of Partnerships and Sustainability, EuroGeographics said: “The production process, developed by OME2 consortium member, IGN France, demonstrates how NMCAs can fulfil a long-standing EU requirement for streamlined access to authoritative cross-border information without navigating multiple national portals or complex data integration.”

“Furthermore, the prototype delivers data for three key themes identified as essential by users and defined as high value by the European Commission – administrative boundaries, transport and hydrography – thereby laying the foundation for a broader pan-European Spatial Data Infrastructure aligned with key EU Policy objectives and UN core geospatial data recommendations.”

OME2, which has also enhanced the five existing datasets available via Open Maps For Europe, concludes at the end of 2025 and is co-funded by the European Union with matched investment from EuroGeographics and its members.

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.

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 Mapping 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.

OME2 unlocks pan-European high-value data and calls for EU commitment to long-term funding

Sallie Payne Snell, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics addresses EU polcymakers at OME2 showcase.

Sallie Payne Snell, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics said: “The consortium is delighted that OME2, which has also enhanced the five existing datasets available via the Open Maps For Europe portal, has seen higher-than-expected user numbers. In fact, we have more than doubled our initial aim of attracting 150 unique users of the OME2 high-value large-scale prototype, with 600 registering for the dataset and almost 5,000 WFS transactions since its launch in 2024.”

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.

Collaboration increases number of official national geospatial datasets available via CORDA

More than 100 new datasets, including seven targeting the update of the EU-Hydro product, are now available to Copernicus Services thanks to a collaboration that streamlines access to official geospatial information.

The Copernicus Framework Agreement between EuroGeographics and its members is a practical solution for overcoming legal barriers to accessing authoritative data for the Copernicus In-Situ component. It has significantly increased the number of national datasets available via CORDA, a centralised gateway for authorised users to access geospatial reference data from European countries participating in the Copernicus component of the EU Space programme.

Currently, 33 National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities are either making their open data easily accessible or have signed the agreement which covers the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service (CEMS); the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS); and the Copernicus Security Service (CSS). As a result, in addition to the 117 newly available datasets, users of CORDA also have access to 42 updated datasets.

Angela Baker, Head of Partnerships and Sustainability, EuroGeographics: “We are proud to represent our members, Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, and committed to enabling easy access to both their data and their technical expertise.”

“This licence agreement ensures members’ data, which is an essential component of national, European and global critical infrastructure, is available for disaster response and recovery, security and land monitoring and increases its use through the Copernicus In-Situ Component. In addition, we have established a network of national technical contacts who are instrumental in trouble-shooting issues, improving coordination and ensuring the smooth delivery of data to CORDA.”

“Our approach respects the autonomy of our members whilst also laying the foundations for a future-proof framework for continued collaboration with the EEA to support Copernicus objectives and avoid duplication of effort to save costs and focus investment.”

Jose Miguel Rubio Iglesias, Copernicus In-Situ Data Expert, EEA added: “Copernicus relies on the availability of a wide variety of in-situ data, including high-quality, authoritative geospatial data which is essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of Copernicus data, products and services. By facilitating access to geospatial information from official providers, our agreement with EuroGeographics strengthens synergies with its members to help us meet growing user demands for real-time, high-resolution geospatial information. This in turn ensures fit-for-purpose products that also bring valuable benefits back to the Member States.”

“We continue to build on this collaboration to address the evolving needs of the Copernicus component of the EU Space Programme and we ensure that National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities continue to be recognised for their essential contributions to Copernicus.”

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.

OME2 adds five new countries to final release of Open Cadastral Map

Five new countries have been added to the final release of the Open Cadastral Map which has been enhanced by the Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) project.

The addition of Belgium, Estonia, Ireland, Croatia, and Switzerland means the prototype map service now includes data from 15 of Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities.

The OME2 project runs until the end of 2025 and 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.

Angela Baker, Head of Partnerships and Sustainability, EuroGeographics said: “Open Cadastral Map compiles and harmonises INSPIRE open data to provide an overview of what is available and where to find it via user-friendly links for direct download from national geoportals. The vision is that this will provide the foundation for a single access point for easily finding and using authoritative cadastral information in the future.”

“Thanks to the OME2 Project, which is co-funded by the European Union, not only have we been able to expand the Open Cadastral Map, but, together with our members, we are also developing the pan-European Cadastral Data Strategy. This will be delivered by the end of 2025 and defines stakeholders as well as the technology, processes, resources and best practices required to support the long-term delivery of official high-value data for addresses, cadastral parcels, buildings and administrative units.”

The Open Cadastral Map is available through the Open Maps For Europe interface and signposts users to data from Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and 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.

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 Mapping Agency, The Netherlands.  OME2 is developing 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. OME2 is also enhancing the five existing Open Maps For Europe datasets, including the Open Cadastral Map.

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.

Agreement significantly increases number of official national geospatial datasets available via CORDA

More authoritative geospatial information than ever before is now available to users of the Copernicus Reference Data Access (CORDA) database – including 102 new datasets from official national sources. CORDA provides authorised users with a centralised gateway for accessing geospatial reference data from the European countries participating in the Copernicus Programme.

The increase is made possible by the Copernicus Services Framework agreement between EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, and the European Environment Agency (EEA) – specifically the Copernicus In Situ component. By streamlining the licensing process, it provides a practical solution for overcoming legal barriers to data access for the Copernicus Services for disaster response and recovery, security and land monitoring.

Angela Baker, Head of Partnerships and Sustainability, EuroGeographics said: “We have worked extensively with our members to overcome any technical barriers in accessing their authoritative national geospatial data. This framework licence therefore not only improves access but also increases its use through the Copernicus In-Situ Component. Currently, 28 National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities have signed the agreement which covers the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service; the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS); and the Copernicus Security Service (CSS). As a result, in addition to the 102 new datasets, users of CORDA also have access to 34 updated datasets.”

“Copernicus Services also have access to harmonised, value-added administrative boundary data through our agreement with Eurostat, as well as pan-European topographic, gazetteer and imagery datasets and services delivered through the Open Maps for Europe interface and the Open Maps For Europe 2 project (OME2).”

Jose Miguel Rubio Iglesias, Copernicus In-Situ Data Expert, EEA added: “Copernicus relies on the availability of a wide variety of in-situ data, including high-quality, authoritative geospatial data which is essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of Copernicus data, products and services. By facilitating access to geospatial information from official providers, our agreement with EuroGeographics strengthens synergies with its members to help us meet growing user demands for real-time, high-resolution geospatial information. This in turn ensures fit-for-purpose products that also bring valuable benefits back to the Member States.”

“We continue to build on this collaboration to address the evolving needs of the Copernicus component of the EU Space Programme and we ensure that National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities continue to be recognised for their essential contributions to Copernicus.”

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.

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 marks 25th anniversary with record-breaking gathering of geospatial leaders

Foto: Gatis Dieziņš (Aizsardzības ministrija)

Leaders from 47 European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities met in Latvia recently to share insights on delivering authoritative data in increasingly uncertain times.

Hosted by the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency with support from the State Land Service, the EuroGeographics 2025 General Assembly was one of the biggest gatherings of geospatial experts in the not-for-profit Association’s 25-year history.

During the two-day event, members re-elected Tomaž Petek from Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia, as President and Suren Tovmasyan, Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia, to the Management Board.

Welcoming delegates, Tomaž Petek said: “EuroGeographics is a remarkable example of what can be achieved through Europe-wide cooperation. The Association celebrating its silver jubilee however is very different to the one established at the turn of the Millennium. Today, we are recognised as the point of contact for advice, comment, and supply of European geospatial and land information from official national sources, not only in Europe, but also at global level through our partnership with the United Nations Statistical Division and UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).”

“Bringing together, not only members’ collective expertise, but also their data across national boundaries is the Association’s primary strength and a powerful symbol of certainty and trust in a complex and uncertain world. We remain united by a common purpose to support the public good, and we have overcome many different challenges to ensure that official data is recognised as an essential component of national, European and global critical infrastructures.”

Sallie Payne Snell, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics added: “Welcoming us to Riga, the Minister of Defence recognised that members have long been trusted sources of geospatial information but that today a modern mapping agency must be able to operate under conditions of uncertainty.”

“This week, we have demonstrated why their data can be trusted, why it can be relied upon, and why it is fundamental resource that enables us to look to the future with confidence and certainty in challenging and unpredictable times.”

“As we take our next steps together in realising our vision of a society empowered by the use of trusted geospatial services, our focus must be on enabling access to members’ high-value data and expertise through its integration into the infrastructures we depend upon as a modern society.”

EuroGeographics General Assembly coincided with the publication of the Association’s latest Annual Review which features case studies demonstrating how members fulfil an essential role ensuring fundamental information about location is available for confident, informed decision making. Examples include security, climate change and environmental monitoring to economic growth and prosperity.

Read EuroGeographics Annual Review.

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.

Aligning INSPIRE with other EU legislation is highly valuable but national investments in implementation must be respected

Aligning the INSPIRE Directive with European Union horizontal legislation is highly valuable, but investments already made in the Directive’s implementation must be respected, says EuroGeographics.

In its response to the European Commission’s Public Consultation assessing the impact of the Green Data for All initiative, the Association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities urged the streamlining of the Directive to reduce bureaucratic requirements and focus on solution-driven processes.

“The geodata infrastructure built over the past two decades has many useful applications but currently the management of the geospatial sector within the EU is fragmented and scattered across various Directives,” says Carol Agius, Head of Representation and Stakeholder Engagement, EuroGeographics.

“It would therefore be highly valuable to fully align INSPIRE with the EU’s horizontal legislation, such as the Open Data and Reuse of Public Sector Information, as well as the Implementing Act on High Value Data. However, we would urge the Commission to respect the significant investments our members have already made in implementing INSPIRE by incorporating their practical experience in any future plans.”

EuroGeographics also highlighted the importance of harmonising high-value datasets shared by national public sector bodies. However, it cautions that this is a delicate, sector specific process requiring in-depth knowledge and should only be undertaken by experts.

“Our members are experts in harmonising and edge-matching national geospatial data to create pan-European datasets, most recently to create a high-value large-scale prototype through the Open Maps for Europe 2 (OME2) Project. By the end of 2025, the prototype is expected to cover 10 countries with three key themes identified by users and defined as high value by the European Commission – administrative boundaries, transport and hydrography. This proves that the integration of authoritative national geospatial data is the foundation for future pan-European high-value datasets.”

The OME2 project, co-funded by the European Union, is developing 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. OME2 is also enhancing the five existing Open Maps For Europe datasets, including the pilot Open Cadastral Map.

The project 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.

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 Mapping 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.