How to revalidate, extend and rename your Geopark

REVALIDATION PROCESS

In order to ensure the quality of UNESCO Global Geoparks, they are subject to a thorough revalidation every four years to examine their functioning and quality.

As part of the revalidation process, the UNESCO Global Geopark under review has to prepare:

  • a one-page summary of the UNESCO Global Geopark to be submitted to the UNESCO Secretariat one year prior to the revalidation (by end of July);
  • a progress report following a template, self-evaluation and progress evaluation form to be submitted through the official channel three months prior to the field inspection.

A field mission will be undertaken by two evaluators to revalidate the quality of the UNESCO Global Geopark. If, on the basis of the field evaluation report, the UNESCO Global Geopark:

  • continues to fulfill the criteria the area will continue as a UNESCO Global Geopark for a further four-year period (so-called “green card”);
  • no longer fulfills the criteria, the management body will be informed to take appropriate steps within a two-year period (so-called “yellow card”);
  • no longer fulfills the criteria within two years after receiving a “yellow card”, the area will lose its status as a UNESCO Global Geopark (so-called “red card”).

Related documents

AREA MODIFICATION

It is possible for a UNESCO Global Geopark to extend or reduce its area. All extensions are subject to the intergovernmental check and the submission of the request must take place during the official submission period for applications (1 October to 30 November) each year and will be presented for a 3-month grace period on the UNESCO website and presented at the annual open meeting of the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP).

Should an existing UNESCO Global Geopark wish to change its size of less than 10% of the existing area, then the UGGp Council must be informed by a letter through the official channel as defined by the National Commission for UNESCO or the government body in charge of relations with UNESCO to the UNESCO Secretariat involving, if applicable, the National Geoparks Committee. Accompanied by the template document duly filled-in, outlining the reasons for the change and outlining how the new area still fulfils the criteria for a UNESCO Global Geopark. The UGGp Council can approve or reject the change.

In the case of extensions >10%, a new application must be made following the procedure for new applications as described above.

Renaming an existing UNESCO Global Geopark

An UNESCO Global Geopark can at any stage decide de change its name under the condition of approval of the government it must inform the UGGp Councill. (Link to template) The UGGp Council must be informed by a letter through the official channel as defined by the National Commission for UNESCO or the government body in charge of relations with UNESCO to the UNESCO Secretariat involving, if applicable, the National Geoparks Committee. Accompanied by the template document duly filled-in, outlining the reasons for the change of name.

Related documents: 

uporn