| GeoNews - EFG's monthly newsletter | | | | | | Dear ICOG,
As usual, we start our monthly newsletter with a brief overview of the most relevant policy news for our profession. The European Commission has published a call for independent experts for the Strategic Advisory Board of Destination Earth. The Board will be composed of approximately 15 European high-level technical and scientific experts that will advise the Commission on strategic matters related to both the technological and scientific areas of development for the next two years. Moreover, the European Commission currently has an open call for evidence regarding the EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy. The deadline for contributing is 17 March. You are also invited to review and provide feedback regarding the 2025 Strategic Foresight Report which has a deadline for contributions scheduled for 19 March. Last December, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation’s Expert Group on the Economic and Societal Impact of Research & Innovation (ESIR) released a policy brief on better anticipating future technological developments, titled “Embedding Anticipatory Governance in Europe’s Transitions.”
For more policy news, please also make sure to check out our Panels of Experts sections here below.
Enjoy the reading! | | | |
| Abstract submission for the 5th IPGC extended! | | 
| | | | | We are pleased to announce that the abstract submission period for the 5th International Professional Geology Conference (IPGC) has been extended until 31 March 2025! This is a unique opportunity to present and showcase your research, contributions, and advancements in geology at an event that brings together the leading professionals in the field. You can find all the information at the following link: https://www.5th-ipgc.com/submission The 5th IPGC is co-organised by the Spanish Official Association of Geologists (ICOG), the Portuguese Association of Geologists (APG), and the European Federation of Geologists (EFG). It will take place from 5 to 7 November 2025 in Zaragoza, Spain. | | | | | Board presents EFG position on Single Market Strategy and Competitiveness Compass | | 
| | The EFG Board met in Brussels from 5 to 7 February 2025. The meeting provided an opportunity to review and advance actions from the last EFG Council meeting. It also allowed the Board to engage in strategic networking with various MEPs and European Commission officials both from DG Environment and from DG GROW.
During those meetings, the Board shared EFG's perspectives regarding the EU's Single Market Strategy, highlighting mobility challenges geologists face, and the recently published Competitiveness Compass, underlining how EFG and the geology profession can contribute to upcoming EU policy initiatives.
We extend our gratitude to MEPs Dario Nardella, Susanna Ceccardi, Marco Tarquinio, and Dimitrios Tsiodras for welcoming us to the European Parliament.
We look forward to future exchanges and opportunities for collaboration! | | Publication of European Geologist 58: Water - making the invisible visible | | | | | | | EFG announces the release of issue 58 of its peer-reviewed Diamond Open Access publication, the European Geologist. The new issue is entitled “Water – making the invisible visible”. The topical section features the following contributions: Read the full issue: https://tinyurl.com/europeangeologist58 | | | |
GSL training courses: Discount for members of EFG's National Associations | | | | For 2025, and in recognition of the ongoing partnership between EFG and GSL, and mutual support to geoscientists around the globe, GSL are delighted to offer all members of EFG’s National Associations a 15% discount on their 2025 training programme of more than 20 courses! To benefit from the discount, please use the code ‘PARTNER15’ on the bookings page. The discount is available across all categories, including already discounted rates for students and early-career geoscientists, and against the early-booking and group discounts already on offer. More information about all courses can be found on the GSL website. https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/trainingcourses | EFG represented at BDG booth at GeoTHERM | | | | | | | Europe's largest annual geothermal exhibition took place in Offenburg, Germany from 20-21 February. At the invitation of the organisers, the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) was represented at the GeoTHERM, which attracted more than 8,000 visitors. Our German member, the Berufsverband Deutscher Geowissenschaftler (BDG), offered EFG the possibility to distribute information material at their booth. This allowed us to promote our EU-funded projects, notably CRM-geothermal and CEEGS. On behalf of the organisers, Professor Detlev Doherr and EFG representative Dr. János Szanyi, the coordinator of our Panel of Experts on Geothermal Energy, agreed to intensify cooperation in the future and to offer EFG a higher profile at the event. Thanks to the organisers and to the BDG for this opportunity to discuss exciting developments in the geothermal sector! | | | |
| Participation in 14th Serbian Raw Materials Conference | | | | The 14th Serbian Raw Materials Conference was held on 28 January in Belgrade. EFG Vice-President Iris Vukovic had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion on “The Importance of Mining: Energy Transition and Security” featuring H.E. Anke Konrad, Ambassador of Germany to Serbia, H.E. Charlotte Sammelin, Ambassador of Sweden to Serbia, and David Morgan, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Canada to Serbia. Iris Vukovic introduced EFG and the organisation's role in promoting the highest ethical and professional standards in the raw materials sector. Iris Vukovic also participated in a panel discussion on “Overcoming the image problem of the geology and mining sector” where she shared good practice examples from the EFG. | | Global Geoscience Professionalism Group launched new website | | | | The Global Geoscience Professionalism initiative, of which EFG is a member, just launched their new website. The website is designed to inform and support the public, governments, and geoscientists globally on geoscience practice around the world. | | GEODAYS Connect 2025! | | | | | Our Associate Member Pôle Avenia invites you to attend the 2025 edition of the GEODAYS, the only business convention covering all the subsoil industries. The 2025 edition will be held on 11 and 12 March in a 100% online mode due to the occurrence of two major geosciences events in France in June, the usual timeframe for their event: the EAGE in Toulouse and the AFPG Geothermal Days in Biarritz, both of which the AVENIA cluster is associated with. As usual during the GEODAYS, there will a particular focus on B2B exchanges and opportunities for collaboration. | | | | |
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| | | | | | | The CEEGS project invites you to participate in our video contest and win great prizes. If you are at least 12 years old, check out the conditions for participation and submit your video! | | | | | | | 
| | | | | Applications for TIMREX Master | | | | | The application period for the TIMREX EIT-Labelled Master’s Programme in Innovative Mineral Resource Exploration is now open. The application period runs until 31 March 2025. | | | | | | | |
| Self-paced course: Mineral Exploration with Satellite Remote Sensing | | | | | The EFG Academy recently launched a new self-paced online course on Mineral Exploration with Satellite Remote Sensing Course.
Join Dr. Arda Arcasoy, Ph.D., CPG, EurGeol in this online course and gain an in-depth understanding of remote sensing for mineral exploration. With over 5 hours of expert-led content, you'll explore: - Satellite imagery interpretation
- Digital image processing techniques
- Spectral reflectance & mineral identification
- Ground truthing & accuracy assessment
- Advanced mineral exploration techniques
When: Anytime (Access until 1 September 2025)
Where: Online - Certification provided upon completion
Fees: EurGeol: €180 (incl. VAT); Regular: €220 (incl. VAT)
Sign up here: https://eurgeoltitle.eu/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1940494 Discover other self-paced online courses: https://eurgeoltitle.eu/events/event_list.asp | | | | Boost Your Geoscience Career: Join Our Mentoring Programme | | | | | Are you about to start your career in geosciences? Or would you like to take your career to the next level?
We invite you to participate in the EFGeoMentoring scheme. Over a fixed period of 9 months, you will receive advice and targeted support from an experienced professional, according to your individual goals.
The EFGeoMentoring scheme is open to post-Bachelor students in any field of geosciences and geoscience professionals at all career stages.
Check the conditions for participation and sign up: https://bit.ly/3cB7Gmx | | | |
| Resuming the #EFGinclusion campaign! | | | | | On 11 February, we celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and to mark this occasion, we shared an interesting article from the European Research Executive Agency of the European Commission. The article highlights how the EU is driving change for gender equality in research and innovation, showcasing key initiatives that empower women in science and tackle gender disparities. From mandatory Gender Equality Plans for research institutions to impactful projects, the EU is paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable scientific community. | | | |
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| | | | | | | During her speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised the importance of investing in clean energy technologies, including enhanced geothermal. | | | | | | | | 
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