EuroCoreReferenceMap

National mapping authorities from France, Germany and the Netherlands, together with their membership association, EuroGeographics, announced that development is underway on EuroCoreReferenceMap, a new pan‑European dataset.

EuroCoreReferenceMap will be the only high‑value, large‑scale geospatial dataset created specifically for EU policymakers by national mapping organisations using their authoritative national data. It will cover all EU Member States and Switzerland, with the ambition to incorporate data from official sources across geographical Europe.

Developed through a unique production process underpinned by national expertise, the dataset integrates core geospatial information to deliver three EU priority themes: Administrative boundaries, Transport networks, and Hydrography.  The project builds on the success of the Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) project and runs until the end of 2028.

The EuroCoreReferenceMap Consortium – France’s National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN France), Germany’s Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), The Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster Netherlands) and EuroGeographics – have committed significant investment to its development. They have the backing of EuroGeographics members – Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities – who endorsed the three‑year initiative at the Association’s 2025 General Assembly.

“Geospatial data from our members is a vital component of Europe’s critical infrastructure and one of its most valuable sovereign assets for evidence-based decision-making,” says Angela Baker, Head of Operations and Data, EuroGeographics.

“EuroCoreReferenceMap further strengthens Europe’s digital sovereignty by making authoritative pan-European data more interoperable, accessible and useable. This enhanced capability supports EU‑wide systems and enables cross‑domain applications for Europe’s strategic priorities – from security and climate resilience to sustainable mobility.”

Nicolas Paparoditis, Deputy Director‑General, IGN France and Member of EuroGeographics Management Board, explains: “OME2 showed how effectively Europe’s national mapping authorities can collaborate to transform EU high‑value data requirements into a practical solution aligned with UN GGIM recommendations. Our continued work in geospatial data harmonisation supports Member States by reducing duplication and promoting reusable techniques and shared good practices.”

Pier-Giorgio Zaccheddu, Head of unit General Policy Geoinformation and Member of EuroGeographics Management Board, adds: “EuroCoreReferenceMap marks a new era for authoritative geospatial data, establishing a pan‑European geospatial reference framework. As the foundation for a future European Geospatial Data Infrastructure, this enables the integration of critical environmental and statistical datasets, empowering decision-makers to respond to cross-border challenges with confidence.”

Cora Smelik, Member of the Executive Board, Kadaster Netherlands and Member of EuroGeographics Management Board,  concludes: “High quality and reliability define the work of EuroGeographics members. Through our production process, harmonisation and generalisation tools, EuroCoreReferenceMap delivers consistent, authoritative data, enhances decision-making by simplifying complex geographic information, and improves usability whilst also strengthening the data‑sharing capabilities essential for the single market.”