Submit a UNESCO Global Geopark proposal

There are regular calls for grants and exchange programmes supported by UNESCO to train and coach the persons involved in Geopark projects and aspiring UNESCO Global Geoparks. Other opportunities to learn more about UNESCO Global Geoparks include International or regional UNESCO Global Geoparks meetings, conferences, workshops, or short courses.

Before any formal application is prepared, any aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark must first submit an expression of interest via the official channel as set out in the Statutes and Operational Guidelines for UNESCO Global Geoparks. The full process is explained in detail below.

Please follow carefully all the instructions provided below. A detailed checklist aims to guide you in the preparation of your application file – be sure you meet the criteria before applying.

Before starting, please consult the frequently asked questions about UNESCO Global Geoparks and the checklist below. 

The checklist is structured around 101 essential questions. It is a handy tool to assess your Geopark project against the quality criteria for UNESCO Global Geoparks, defined by the Operational Guidelines for UNESCO Global Geoparks - see section 3 (viii). It will help you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your project and tell you if you are ready to apply, or if more work is needed to improve important criteria. This checklist comes with an Explanatory Note that provide further information, examples and guidance for questions marked with (*).  Please note that this Checklist and its Explanatory Note are not statutory documents, they are designed as a quick and easy dashboard to measure the preparedness to apply. They do not replace the application file and Form A (Self-evaluation Form).

A successful UNESCO Global Geopark application should at least demonstrate that:

• It has geological heritage of international value and is managed by a body with legal recognition under national legislation.
• The management body should include all relevant stakeholders, including partners and scientific, local and indigenous (if any) communities.
• It has a comprehensive management plan, covering governance, development, communication, protection, infrastructure, finance, and partnership issues.
• It is in regular contact with other UNESCO Global Geoparks as well as with the Global Geoparks Network.
• Its geological heritage is connected with its cultural and natural heritage, and this connection is used for educational purposes, awareness raising, and informing visitors and locals alike.
• It is a single unified territory – no interrupted borders; the entire territory should be involved in the Geopark’s activities.
• If the Geopark project is closer than 100km from an existing UNESCO Global Geopark, ensure that an independent study is undertaken to demonstrate the geological difference and possible complementarity with that Geopark.
• The Geopark engages in appropriate branding, visibility and communication efforts, to both visitors and local people through a dedicated website, signposts, panels, museums, geopark corners, visitor centers, leaflets, and detailed map of the area that connects the area’s geological and other sites. An aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark must have a corporate identity, differentiating it from other designations or protected areas in the vicinity.

Transnational Geoparks

In many cases, geological boundaries, shaped by rivers, mountain ranges, the ocean and deserts, do not follow the boundaries drawn by people. Likewise, UNESCO Global Geoparks do not always follow human-made borders. Some UNESCO Global Geoparks therefore naturally cross-national borders, connecting the peoples of different countries and encouraging intimate regional, cross-border cooperation. It is through this strong cross-border cooperation that transnational UNESCO Global Geoparks strengthen the relationship between countries and contribute to peacebuilding efforts. In 2008, the Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark expanded from Northern Ireland across the border into the Republic of Ireland, becoming the world’s first transnational Global Geopark. Situated in a former conflict area, this UNESCO Global Geopark, which changed its name in the meanwhile to Cuilcagh Lakelands, is now seen as a global model for peacebuilding and community cohesion. UNESCO actively supports the creation of transnational UNESCO Global Geoparks – especially in regions of the world where there are currently none.

Examples of transnational UNESCO Global Geoparks:

• Karawanken / Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark, Austria & Slovenia
• Muscau Arch / Łuk Mużakowa UNESCO Global Geopark, Germany & Poland
• Novohrad-Nógrád UNESCO Global Geopark, Hungary & Slovakia

Before sending the application, the proposed Geopark needs to submit a Declaration of Interest via official channel as defined by their National Commission for UNESCO or the government body in charge of the relations with UNESCO. This should reach the Secretariat, preferably, on the same year as the application. 

A comprehensive and carefully formatted application dossier must be prepared, including supporting material to demonstrate that the area has already been functioning as a de facto Geopark for at least one year. All applications must be completed and sent in English.

Please take the following recommendations into consideration:

• If using images, make sure they are of high quality and legible. This includes maps and graphs.
• Check the completeness of the list of mandatory annexes, especially:
  • Respect the formats and the use of the United Nations Maps, especially for the one-page geological and geographical summary template (Annex 5 attached in the application dossier).
  • Send the shape files with large scale map (Annex 4).
  • Send the Self Evaluation form (Annex 1) in Excel format.
  • Ensure that the shapefiles that complete the map are included.
  • Review the guidelines for the assessment of the international significance of geological heritage (annex 2) in UNESCO Global Geopark applications.
  • Please double check the text of the Annex 5 – Geological and Geographic summary. This text will be used to present the application to Member States. It is important that content, style and grammar are well prepared and checked.

Submit the application via the official channel as defined by your National Commission for UNESCO or the government body in charge of the relations with UNESCO. Remember that your application will go through a process of Intergovernmental check for 3 months.

These assessments are carried out by two evaluators, who are selected from the official “Roster of Evaluators”. These evaluators have combined and proven professional experience relevant for the UNESCO Global Geopark Programme development (geological heritage, conservation, sustainable development, tourism development and promotion, and environmental issues).

The main objectives of assessment of the areas are to:

1. become familiar with all aspects of the area;
2. review in situ the application, self-evaluation, and other documents of the application dossier, or, for the revalidations, progress report, progress evaluation form and other documents related to the revalidation;
3. carefully review boundaries, threats and management;
4. to provide constructive commentary and recommendations as and where appropriate.

The evaluation mission programme, with the itinerary and detailed agenda of a minimum of 4-days visit to the region, and including meetings with all relevant stakeholders, must be shared and agreed on between the aspiring geopark to be evaluated and the evaluators, and then sent to the UNESCO Secretariat, 1 month before the mission. 

The UNESCO Global Geopark Council will review each application, the Desktop Assessment of the geological heritage and the Field Evaluation Report sent by the evaluators. It will then recommend accepting, rejecting or deferring the application.

In the case of a deferred application:  

• The Geopark will be given a maximum of two years to undertake improvements based on the recommendations made by the Council.
• A report demonstrating that the improvements have been implemented should be sent to the Secretariat within the deadline stated on the deferral letter.
• A new field evaluation will not be conducted during the two years given by the deferred status.
• The application will be considered null if the Geopark does not submit a report within two years after receiving the deferred status and a new application procedure must be started.
• The Executive Board of UNESCO endorses the nominations decided upon by the Council in its Spring meeting.