EFG NETWORK

Participation in the global community, maintaining international networks

Participate in European initiatives, consultations and international dialogues and activities related to geosciences and professionalism

• Participate actively in EU expert groups and consultation processes;
• Increase the visibility of EFG among European institutions and its contribution to European policies on geosciences issues;
• Enhance cooperation with international geoscience organisations;
• Seek alliances with organisations outside Europe to ensure the global adoption of criteria and standards related to the geosciences profession;
• Align EFG’s Code of Ethics and disciplinary measures with existing international best practice;
• Build strong relationships with a variety of organisations and develop shared activities.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

Promotion of geoscience professional excellence

Support the development and expansion of the Competent Person concept

• Promote the professional title of European Geologist (EurGeol) as the Europe‐wide standard of competence in the professional practice of Geoscience;
• Provide additional recognition of professional expertise among EurGeol holders in specific fields of geoscience under the conceptual framework used for the EurGeol title (a combination of academic qualification, suitable experience, ethical practice, continuing professional development and delivery of high levels of professional competence based on individual responsibility);
• Promote the wider recognition of EFG professional titles through agreements with professional geoscience organisations around the world, facilitating the global mobility of geoscientists and fostering job opportunities;
• Participate actively in relevant global initiatives (e.g. the Task Group for the Global Geoscience Professionalism (IUGS), the Expert Group in Resources Classification (UNECE), PERC (CRISCO) and international forums on recognition of professional expertise;
• Enhance the benefits given to holders of EFG professional titles.

Promote professional specialisation and public access to registers of geoscience experts

• Maintain a web‐based directory open to the public of all professional geologists registered and validated by the EFG (EurGeol), searchable by specialisation;
• Foster partnerships with the Young Earth Scientists (YES) network, the EuroGeoSurveys and the Expert Group on Resources Classification of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to reach professionals interested in becoming registered.

Support Continuing Professional Development and ethical practice

• Cooperate with other professional geoscience organisations in the development and application of ‘geoethics’ and other aspects of professionalism;
• Support high‐quality professional training through endorsing or organising training courses in ethical practice, technical and social skills.

Support early career geoscientists

• Support mentorship programmes offering guidance to early career geoscientists;
• Facilitate their access to EFG initiatives (conferences, workshops, training courses).

Enforce strict disciplinary controls of professional practice

• Enforce EFG’s Code of Ethics;
• Implement disciplinary procedures aligned with international best practice.

PROJECTS

Participation in EU and international funded projects

Reinforce EFG’s capacity to influence policies linked to geoscience topics

• Participate in tasks (e.g. collection of data, dissemination of information, management/coordination) of EU and other projects with a geoscience element;
• Enhance the prestige and credibility of EFG within EU and international institutions, businesses and R&D institutions;
• Strengthen the bond between EFG, NAs and national entities (countries and organisations in Europe and elsewhere) related to innovation and R&D.

Diversify income streams

• Actively seek opportunities for participation in externally funded projects relevant to EFG’s strategic aims that either provide a financial contribution or are budget neutral;
• Involve NAs (staff and individual members with appropriate expertise) in the development and delivery of project activities;
• Contribute to project proposals and participate in funded projects.

COMMUNICATION

Accessible communication of geosciences and outreach

Create public awareness of the importance of geoscience to society by promoting public outreach and understanding of geosciences

• Improve the use of geoscientific information for decision‐making in public policies;
• Raise public awareness of the importance of geosciences, conveying tailored messages that take into consideration communication objectives, targets, and channels used;
• Improve basic knowledge of the public on geology and geological processes;
• Actively engage in events and activities that increase geoscience outreach;
• Publically recognise and reward individuals who contribute to elevating the profile of geosciences;
• Provide independent, trustworthy and reliable information on geoscientific issues to the general public.

Communicate transparently to National Associations and other audiences

• Regularly produce and disseminate information to the public on EFG’s strategic aims, activities and results;
• Include and convey information on members’ activities in EFG media channels;
• Inform the EFG Council and Full Members’ Boards of the subjects discussed and decisions taken in EFG periodic Board meetings;
• Maintain compliance with the EU transparency register.

PANELS OF EXPERTS

Provision of independent, trustworthy and reliable information on geoscientific issues

To provide, through the Panels of Experts, information to policymakers that is authoritative and objective

• Contribute proactively to European policymaking by developing Advisory Documents on geoscience contribution to public policies advancing safety, sustainable development, responsible use of natural resources and prevention and mitigation of natural hazards;

• Participate actively in working groups of international intergovernmental organisations (e.g. United Nations, WTO, OECD, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, International Energy Agency, UNESCO), collecting and conveying insights from the Panels of Experts to foster dialogue;

• Provide independent and reliable information on geoscientific issues, e.g. in public hearings and consultations.

To become the European organisation of reference on the professional practice of geoscience

• Enforce principles of geoethics, encompassing the behaviour, attitude and continuing professional development that underpin superior professional practice;
• Advance the definition of professional standards that promote and guide excellence in the provision of geoscience services to society;

• Support EFG efforts to develop broader networks of professional excellence in geosciences.