EUROPEAN GEOPARKS is one interregional partnership approved by INTERREG IIIC South.

The partnership provides a forum for the sharing of experience and best practices in geological monuments management and the development of geotourism in Europe. As a result of the closer bonds that will be established through the inter-regional cooperation will be the promotion of geological heritage, the development of geotourism and the sustainable development of the geopark's territories.

Partners are involved in common actions and in developing strategies to promote geotourism by evolving new development policies, new promotional tools and new methods, experimenting on those issues and working on preserving geological heritage.
 
 
In the frame of the present project partners will be conducted among others studies about the development of geotourism in rural areas.

EVALUATION OF GEOPARKS

The present situation and level of the tourist services of the partner geoparks was examined and compared among the European Geoparks in the frame of a “tourist offer study”.
This study evaluates the existing services and propose improvements. Several criteria of quality standard were developed and used, which allow an easy self-evaluation for keeping in top level the offered services to the visitors.
In a second stage of the evaluation process geoparks were evaluated by an independent referee for their geotouristic services and offers.
The hole process was completed through a  common evaluation process which is operated with the participation of International independent bodies such as UNESCO and IUGS (International Union of Geological Sciences) in order to help them to improve their geotouristic infrastructure, facilities and services.

EXPECTED:  Components  (click here)

Over three years, EUROPEAN GEOPARKS organize thematic conferences and seminars with the participation of all partners involving local enterprises (traditional food enterprises, handicrafts, cooperatives, hotel owners, restaurant holders, tour agencies), common events, exchange of personnel and a number of site visits to facilitate dialogue and a transfer of knowledge between the partners.
Experts that have been particularly successful in developing geotouristic activities in geoparks are invited to present their findings to the partners.
The final product of the GEOPARKS partnership will be the international recognition of the value of the European geoparks, a setting of high quality standards for geopark activities and a concrete promotional mechanism for the development of geotourism in Europe.
 
Deliverables:

• Progress reports will be submitted every six months and a final report at the end of the project with its results
• Proceedings will be submitted of the meetings of the Coordination Unit (twice meetings will be hold per year)
• A report on qualitative analysis on Geopark services and products and proposals for improvement will be submitted before the realization of the project in December 2005
• Proceedings will be submitted of the Thematic Conferences
• Reports will be submitted on the occasion of both exchange of Geoparks personnel and mission for new candidatures
• Realization of:
• a Promotion Corner in each Geopark during the first six-month interval of the project
• the three issues of the EGN magazine
• a common Web-site
• a CD-Rom, presenting  European Geoparks Network leaflets and posters about the EGN members