Geopark at the Conference: New Ideas, Inspiration and Partnerships

Representatives from Geopark Vestjylland attended the European Geoparks Network (EGN) Conference in Lappeenranta, Finland, from 16–18 September.

Foto: Johanne Bendix (Saimaa Geopark, Finland)

The conference brought together participants from geoparks across Europe to explore how education, collaboration, innovation and sustainable development can contribute to the development of geoparks and strengthen their role in local communities.

The first two days featured presentations and workshops where participants shared experiences, challenges and practical solutions from their daily work. This exchange of knowledge between geoparks was a key element of the conference. Although geoparks are located in different countries and operate under different local conditions, many face similar challenges. Sharing experiences and learning from each other's solutions is therefore particularly valuable.

A central theme was how geoparks can drive development through collaboration at local, national and international levels. One example came from De Hondsrug UNESCO Global Geopark in the Netherlands, where a local outdoor enthusiast had organised a multi-day canoe trip along a river running through the geopark. The trip brought together people from different backgrounds, using the shared experience as a starting point for exploring and discussing the water cycle. The example demonstrated how a landscape's geology can be used both for education and to create new connections between people.

The third day of the conference was dedicated to field trips in the nearby Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark in Finland. Participants were introduced to the area's geology, cultural heritage and military history. Saimaa Geopark is particularly known for Finland's largest freshwater lake and its distinctive landscape shaped by the last Ice Age.

Foto: Johanne Bendix (Saimaa Geopark, Finland)

Foto: Johanne Bendix (Saimaa Geopark, Finland)

For Geopark Vestjylland, the conference was primarily an opportunity to exchange knowledge, build new relationships and gain inspiration from other European geoparks. We were able to share our own experiences while gaining insight into how other geoparks address similar challenges.

The conference also provided inspiration for strengthening future partnerships with universities and developing concrete collaborative projects with other geoparks across Europe. In this way, the European Geoparks Network is not only a platform for sharing knowledge but also an opportunity to turn experiences and new relationships into joint initiatives.