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International Geoscience Programme announces funding for 25 research projects this year
Gathered for a closed session between 10 and 11 March, the six-member IGCP Council assessed the progress of the 43 projects that ran during 2023, with input from the IGCP Scientific Board and UNESCO Secretariat. These projects have a special focus on geosciences for society and climate change mitigation, such as via renewable energy sources like geothermal.
The IGCP Council also decided to support another eight projects without funding. This means that 33 IGCP projects remain active in 2024.
The projects are financed jointly by UNESCO and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).
The IGCP council also decided to maximize the programme’s impact by revising the procedure for submissions. Moving forward, projects will be co-developed by solicited researchers and the Council. Over the next four years, the focus will be on Africa. The programme will be seeking partnerships with academic institutions and the private sector to facilitate this research.
A new key project that the Council approved to join the IGCP family in 2024 is IGCP 771: GECO. Geoscience Ecosystem (GECO) is an innovative collaborative ecosystem for geosciences, that comprises of a platform designed to facilitate the analysis and integration of various geological data and information sources, including literature and open-source databases. Its purpose is to support understanding of outstanding geological issues and mitigate geological hazards. The platform utilises advanced cloud technology and draws upon Eni's expertise in geosciences. In this initial stage of the project, the focus will be on sites located within the East African Rift, given its exceptional geological diversity.
Highlights from ongoing research projects in 2023
IGCP project 769: Energy Transition Centre for Masters’ Training
This project launched a new Geoscience Ambassador of the Year award in partnership with the GeoNetZero Centre for Doctoral Training. The award acknowledges the profound significance of early-career Earth scientists and their potential for inspiring the next generation. The expert selection panel received many strong applicants from around the world and selected the following nominees:
Geoscience Ambassador of the Year:
- Gyslaine Mansilla, Chile
Honourable mentions:
- George Rwegoshora Kato, United Republic of Tanzania
- Halleluya Ekandjo, Namibia
- Dainty Rabang, Philippines
IGCP 767: Environmental Dynamics of Western Rwanda
Team members of this project, are conducting a comprehensive study of the Mount Nyiragongo region in Rwanda. They seek to understand the potential health risks to inhabitants of this region, particularly regarding underground magma propagation, passive degassing of the volcano, the impacts of volcanic ash soils, and toxic hydrogen sulfide reservoirs in Lake Kivu. Work carried out as part of this project includes surveys of local community health near sites of volcanic outgassing, soil mapping surveys, and numerical modeling to understand the main factors controlling magma propagation.
Key figures
In accordance with UNESCO priority on gender equality and Africa, the International Geoscience Council has been prioritizing projects led by female and early career scientists from developing nations since 2015. In 2023, the IGCP projects were led by 45% female leaders, and 11.4% African leaders (from 17 countries), out of 272 project leaders, compared to 19% and 10.7% in 2015, respectively.
The number of countries involved in the International Geoscience Programme in 2023 - more than 30 African countries were active.
The number of project leaders in 2023. More than 30 were from Africa, and 45% were female.
The number of participants in International Geoscience Programme activities in 2023. More than 50% were from developing countries and more than 40% were youth.
UNESCO Global Geoparks Information Session
Attendees of the Open Session were invited to attend an information session on the UNESCO Global Geoparks concept and procedures. In 2023, UNESCO received 18 applications for new UNESCO Global Geoparks to be evaluated in 2024 and one request for size modification of <10%. These applications will undergo a three month 'intergovernmental check,' followed by evaluation by geoscience and geopark experts.
Gary Lee is a geologist at the Pacific Community, based in Fiji. In the following video, he explains the ongoing efforts towards establishing the first UNESCO Global Geopark within the Pacific region. Watch the recording now.
William Kimosop is the Chief County Warden for Baringo County in Kenya. Here, he shares his perspectives on the potential of the UNESCO Global Geopark in Africa. Watch the recording now.
Open calls for application
Applications were called for new IGCP Council members during the session. The Council consists of six ordinary members, each possessing the right to vote, who are appointed by mutual agreement of the Director-General of UNESCO and the President of the IUGS.
Other ongoing calls for application include the UNESCO Global Geopark Council, Evaluators Roster, hosting the 12th International Conference, and the Mentorship Exchange Programme.
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