THE CONTRIBUTION OF UKRAINIAN ASSOCIATION OF GEOLOGISTS TO THE INNOVATIVE TRANSFORMATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: THE EXPERIENCE OF PARTICIPATION IN THE EU FUNDING PROGRAMS

Abstract

The public organization Ukrianian Association of Geologists (UAG) is active internationally. Since 2015 UAG (EC UAG) has been working on projects initiated by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) within the framework of the European Union Framework Program for Research and Innovation «Horizon 2020»: KINDRA, INTRAW, UNEXMIN, CHPM2030, INFACT, CROWDTHERMAL, ENGIE, REFLECT. Projects KINDRA, INTRAW, UNEXMIN, CHPM2030 are successfully completed. The active phase of the INFACT, REFLECT, CROWDTHERMAL, engie projects continues. The content of work on the projects fully coincides with the goals and objectives of the Strategy of the Ukrainian Association of Geologists to promote the implementation of the provisions of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union regarding the efficient and balanced use of natural resources for 2018-2025. “Geology for the European Future of Ukraine” and the International Platform “Implementation of the provisions of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union regarding the effective and balanced use of natural resources”, carried out with the aim of promoting the efficiency and competitiveness of the Ukrainian economy through the application of mechanisms and practices in the field of natural resources relevant European legislative acts, requirements of European standards in the context of the implementation of the provisions of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union (EU). These projects are aimed at systematization / streamlining of knowledge to create networks of project stakeholders; assessment of available practical and scientific knowledge related to groundwater (KINDRA); expansion of the community of geologists and experts in the efficient and balanced use of natural resources, and mineral raw materials in particular; development and testing of innovative, non-invasive geological exploration technologies (INFACT); EU cooperation with other technologically advanced countries in the field of effective management of mineral, primarily critical, raw materials (INTRAW); reassessment of the mineral potential of abandoned mines for future mining operations (UNEXMIN); development of a new and potentially breakthrough technological solution that can help meet European needs for energy and strategic metals in a single interconnected process; reassessment of mineral resource potential in Europe (CHPM2030); empowering the European public to directly participate in the development of geothermal projects through alternative schemes (crowdfunding) and social engagement tools (CROWDTHERMAL); implementation of the European Atlas of Geothermal Fluids (REFLECT); expanding educational activities among young students and overcoming of gender stereotypes prevailing in geology and related disciplines (ENGIE).