GeoTwinn · Strengthening research in the Croatian Geological Survey: Geoscience-Twinning to develop state-of-the-art subsurface modelling capability and scientific impact

This proposal addresses the need to spread excellence and widen participation across the European Union by the twinning of research institutions. We propose to twin the Croatian Geological Survey (HGI-CGS) with two world-leading geoscience research institutes, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and the British Geological Survey of the United Kingdom Research and Innovation (BGS-UKRI), to significantly strengthen HGI-CGS’s research, and in a number of areas transform its capability. The overarching objective is: to deliver a coordinated and targeted programme of training, knowledge exchange and collaboration, involving world-leading experts, to embed cutting-edge research techniques, tools and knowledge within HGI-CGS, leading to a significant and measurable improvement in their geoscientific research capability. HGI-CGS will benefit from a range of research tools, technologies, software and methods at the disposal of GEUS and BGS-UKRI. However, central to this project is the development of active collaboration and partnership between people; between talented scientists within HGI-CGS and highly productive scientists within BGS-UKRI and GEUS, who in a number of cases are world-leading experts in their field. Through close collaboration of scientists working on a range of geoscience topics, facilitated through scientific workshops, two-way scientific exchanges and bespoke training programmes, the project will support HGI-CGS to strengthen research in four important geoscience subject areas, which are at the core of most world-leading geological surveys and geological research institutes: (i) 3D geological surveying and modelling; (ii) groundwater flow and contaminant transport modelling; (iii) geological hazards; (iv) geothermal energy. The project will also enhance research and innovation related to environmental issues: a shift to a low-carbon economy, climate change adaptation and risk management, environmental protection and resource efficiency.