GeoERA is a so-called ERA-NET (H2020 ERA-NET Cofund Action). This means that it is not a single research project but rather a research programme. This programme is established and run by a group of 33 national and 15 regional geological survey organisations from Europe. Together these organisations constitute the GeoERA consortium.

The programme funds 15 transnational research projects. The projects have been selected through a two phased call process, the projects address the development of 1) interoperable, pan-European data and information services on the distribution of geo-energy, groundwater and raw material resources; 2) common assessment frameworks and methodologies supporting better understanding and management of the water-energy-raw materials nexus and potential impacts and risks of subsurface use; 3) knowledge and services aimed at European, national and regional policy makers, industry and other stakeholders to support a more integrated and efficient management and more responsible and publicly accepted exploitation and use of the subsurface.

Funding of the projects is partly covered by the GeoERA consortium members (70%) and partly by European Commission (30%). The programme has a total budget of 30.3 M€, and the projects run for three years starting in June of 2018. Only members of the GeoERA consortium can be beneficiaries of the GeoERA projects, who provide their co-funding in-kind.

GeoERA is contributing to the overall EU objective of building the ERA through enhanced cooperation and coordination of national and regional Geological Survey research programmes. GeoERA also includes forward looking activities, including the creation of opportunities for future collaborative research, and the feasibility assessment of an Article 185 initiative in Applied Geoscience as follow-up to the GeoERA ERA-NET towards the development of the ultimate goal of delivering a Geological Service for Europe.

Source: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/731166 and https://geoera.eu/about-geoera/