Global Geoparks Networks

What Global Geoparks Networks does

The Global Geoparks Networks (GGN) is a non-profit international association that serves as the global coordinating body for UNESCO Global Geoparks. Founded in 2004 under UNESCO auspices and legally constituted in 2014 under the French 1901 law on associations, GGN operates as the official partner of UNESCO for the UNESCO Global Geoparks programme. Its functional purpose is to coordinate the international geopark community, set operational standards, and represent members in global policy fora on geodiversity, geoconservation, and sustainable tourism.

GGN's core products and services are institutional rather than technological. They include the coordination of 195 UNESCO Global Geoparks across 48 countries, the operation of five Regional Networks (Asia-Pacific, European, Latin America and Caribbean, African, and North American), the support of more than 20 National Networks, and the management of 11 working groups. Flagship programs include the biennial International Conference, the GGN Youth Forum (ages 18-24), the Geopark Film Festival, and Best Practice Awards. The association works with more than 1,000 partners spanning geological surveys, universities, tourism authorities, and local governments. There is no underlying software platform or proprietary technology stack; coordination occurs through working groups, conferences, and documentation.

GGN's revenue mechanics are those of a small international association. Income is derived from membership fees paid by geopark institutions, registration and sponsorship revenue from biennial conferences, and grants from UNESCO and partner organizations. The organization operates with a lean staff of 5 employees and is governed by an Executive Board comprising Artur Sa (President), Kana Furusawa and Jianping Zhang (Vice Presidents), Nikolaos Zouros (General Secretary), and Guy Martini (Treasurer). Financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Global Geoparks Networks

Legal name

Global Geoparks Network

Website

https://globalgeoparksnetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Global Geoparks Networks (GGN) is a non-profit international association and official UNESCO partner that coordinates 195 UNESCO Global Geoparks across 48 countries through five regional and 20+ national networks, biennial conferences, and working groups on geodiversity and sustainable tourism.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geoheritage and Geopark Network Association

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Geotourism & Geology/Volcano/National Monument Tours (THAAAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access) (THAAAAAH), Environment, Climate & Sustainable Development IGOs (BPADAAAI)

Keywords

• UNESCO global geoparks
• Geoheritage conservation
• Geotourism networks
• Membership association
• Sustainable development

Headquarters

HQ city

Digne les Bains

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The GGN generates revenue through annual membership fees from institutional members (UNESCO Global Geoparks), individual members (geopark professionals), honorary members, and cooperating members. Fees support the association's operations, secretariat functions, and network activities.
2. Conference Revenue: International Geoparks Conferences are organized biennially with registration fees. Host countries/organizers pay a fee to GGN equivalent to 50 Euros per participant. Conferences accommodate 800-1000 delegates.
3. UNESCO/GGN Grants: The network receives grant funding from UNESCO and operates grant programs for geoparks, particularly supporting development in Africa and Arab States through field missions and capacity building activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Global Geoparks Networks is an international non-profit association that coordinates the worldwide network of UNESCO Global Geoparks, currently serving 195 geoparks across 48 nations. It provides conferences, training courses, awards, grants, publications, and working group programs to support geopark managers, regional networks, and national networks in geoheritage conservation, geotourism, and sustainable local development.

Product overview

The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) is a non-profit international association established in 2014 under French legislation, serving as the official partner of UNESCO for UNESCO Global Geoparks. Rather than offering a technology product, GGN provides a portfolio of membership services including International Conferences on UNESCO Global Geoparks held biennially, International Training Courses on Geoparks, a Geopark Film Festival, Best Practice Awards, UNESCO/GGN Grants for developing regions, and various publications including the GGN Magazine, conference proceedings, maps, and newsletters. The organization also coordinates thematic Working Groups on topics such as SDGs, Geohazards, Climate Change, Tourism, and Education, and operates a Youth Forum for young people aged 18-24 to engage with geopark activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Geoparks Conferences Periodic international conferences hosted by GGN bringing together UNESCO Global Geopark managers, regional networks, and national networks for knowledge exchange, policy discussion, and networking. Open to GGN members, partners, and geopark professionals.
• Training Courses Training and capacity-building courses delivered to UNESCO Global Geopark staff and stakeholders on geopark management, geoheritage conservation, and sustainable development.
• GGN Film Festival A film festival organized by GGN to showcase geoheritage, geopark landscapes, and related storytelling to the global geopark community.
• Best Practice Awards Recognition awards granted by GGN to UNESCO Global Geoparks and individuals demonstrating excellence in geopark management, conservation, education, and sustainable development.
• UNESCO/GGN Grants Grant funding program jointly administered by UNESCO and GGN, providing financial support to member geoparks for projects aligned with geoheritage and sustainable development goals.
• GGN Publications (Magazines, Books, Maps, Reports) Publications produced by GGN covering geopark stories, scientific content, maps, and reports for the global geopark community and the public.
• Working Groups Program Thematic working groups organized by GGN to address specific topics in geopark management, geoheritage, education, and sustainable development, involving member experts and stakeholders.
• Youth Forum A GGN-hosted youth forum that engages young people in geopark activities, education, and conservation, supporting the next generation of geopark practitioners.
• Calendar of Events A curated calendar of events covering geopark conferences, training sessions, festivals, and partner events globally, hosted on GGN's online platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 195 UNESCO Global Geoparks across 48 countries managing geological heritage sites with international significance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO is the official partner of GGN for the operation of UNESCO Global Geoparks. GGN operates under the umbrella of UNESCO as an international partnership dedicated to developing models of best practice and setting quality standards for geological heritage sites in sustainable economic development strategies. This is the most critical partnership for GGN's legitimacy and global reach.
• IUGS (International Union of Geological Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUGS is a key partner in geological heritage conservation and geodiversity promotion. The IUGS International Commission on Geoheritage Chair serves on GGN working groups, demonstrating deep collaboration in scientific standards and geoheritage protection.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUCN partners with GGN to advance conservation of geological heritage within broader biodiversity and environmental protection frameworks, linking geoparks with global conservation efforts.
• UNWTO (World Tourism Organization)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerGGN became a Gold Partner of UNWTO in 2017 to support the celebration of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. This partnership promotes geoparks as sustainable tourism destinations and enhances GGN's visibility in the global tourism industry.
• IGU (International Geographical Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGU collaborates with GGN on geographical education, research, and sustainable development aspects of geoparks, linking geological heritage with geographical science and education.
• UNESCO Associated Schools NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focuses on educational activities and resources connecting geoparks with schools and educational institutions worldwide, promoting geo-education in formal and informal settings.
• University of Tras-os-Montes & Alto Douro (UTAD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTAD hosts the UNESCO Chair on Geoparks and sustainable development. The university collaborates on research, education, and training related to geopark management and insular/coastal area development.
• University of the AegeanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of the Aegean, Department of Geography, collaborates with GGN and Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark on the International Intensive Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks, providing academic support and research collaboration.
• European Geoparks Network (EGN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEGN is a Regional Network of GGN, coordinating geopark activities across Europe. EGN publishes its own magazine (23 issues), holds annual conferences, and serves as the primary regional distribution channel for GGN activities in Europe.
• Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAPGN is a Regional Network of GGN, coordinating geopark activities across Asia-Pacific. APGN holds biennial symposiums and publishes the APGN News Briefing newsletter, serving as the primary regional distribution channel for GGN activities in the region.
• Latin America and Caribbean Geoparks Network (GeoLAC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeoLAC is a Regional Network of GGN, coordinating geopark activities across Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting geopark development in a region with growing UNESCO Global Geopark presence.
• African UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (AUGGN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAUGGN is a Regional Network of GGN focused on developing geoparks in Africa. GGN operates a UNESCO/GGN Grant program specifically supporting geopark development in Africa and Arab States.
• North America Geoparks Network (NAGN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNAGN is a Regional Network of GGN, coordinating geopark activities across North America, including Canada and supporting emerging geopark development in the region.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EUROPARC Federation: European network of protected-area managers that coordinates across national parks, nature parks, and biosphere reserves through membership and conferences — closely mirrors GGN's regional network model and protected-area convening function.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Membership-based international union that sets conservation standards, runs scientific assessments, and convenes global congresses — directly comparable to GGN's model of setting best-practice standards for UNESCO Global Geoparks and convening global expertise.
• ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites): International non-governmental organisation that advises UNESCO on cultural World Heritage sites, applies a similar membership structure of national committees and professionals, and operates advisory/evaluation functions parallel to GGN's geopark evaluation role.
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre: UNESCO body managing the World Heritage Convention with site designations, periodic reporting, capacity building, and an international network of site managers — the same operating model GGN uses for geoparks, but at larger scale and with cultural/natural rather than geological focus.
• UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB): UNESCO's intergovernmental scientific programme that designates Biosphere Reserves through a similar member-network model; structurally the closest analogue to GGN within UNESCO, with comparable standards-setting, evaluation, and convening functions for nature-based designations.
• Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Intergovernmental treaty body that designates Wetlands of International Importance through a member-state framework with criteria, reporting, and regional meetings — analogous governance and designation structure applied to a different natural resource.

Emerging players

• Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC): International body setting global standards for sustainable tourism with criteria, accreditation, and a network of destinations; overlaps GGN's quality-standards and sustainable-tourism-tourism working group, but operates across all tourism rather than geoparks specifically.

Broad incumbents

• UN Tourism (UNWTO): UN specialized agency for tourism policy, where GGN is a Gold Partner; comparable in convening governments and tourism bodies globally, but operates at a much broader tourism-policy scale rather than geopark niche.

Peers

• Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA):

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubefilmfest.globalgeoparksnetwork.org/ggn_videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-geoparks-networks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Global Geoparks Networks