Projects

Active projects

Gloppedalsura project from the Norwegian Environment Agency

One of our locations, Gloppedalsura, is in the process of regrowing. Together with positive landowners and municipalities (Bjerkreim and Gjesdal), Magma Geopark has received a grant from the Norwegian Environment Agency for afforestation and to develop Gloppedalsura for the benefit of both locals and tourists. Once the ura has been cleared of vegetation, we will employ nature's own gardeners, so-called cyper goats, to keep the vegetation in check. A network of paths will be created so that visitors can safely enter this spectacular ura and so that some of the command posts and gun emplacements from World War II will be accessible.

Published 28/03/2022

The GeoExplorer project

We have been collaborating with NATURE AND GEOPARK STYRIAN EISENWURZEN UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) from Austria for a few years now, as there has been a desire to work together in an Erasmus project. And finally, we have got a project approved together, where STYRIAN EISENWURZEN will lead the project, with Magma as a partner in the recently approved Erasmus European funded project "GEOexplorer", together with NMS WEISSENBACH (school from Austria), ZAVOD ZA TURIZEM IDRIJA (Idrija UGG from SLovenia), FONDEN GEOPARK ODSHERRED (Odsherred UGG, Denmark) and Flekkefjord Videregående skole. The project started on 15 February and will run for 2.5 years.

The GeoExplorer project aims to bring high-quality learning materials to upper secondary schools through an innovative learning approach that links science and language learning.

Congratulations in particular to Flekkefjord Videregående, which will receive funding to work on the project, and we look forward to a good collaboration with the school!

Published 02/03/2022

The ArcticHubs project

Magma Geopark is a partner in The ArcticHubs project https://projects.luke.fi/arctichubs/(H2020 European supported) which is an ambitious, interdisciplinary international collaborative project, aims to research practical solutions to help meet the major challenges we face in the Arctic. #ArcticHubs' challenges may lie in a combination of economic activities or in a main industry where the challenges of local resources and land use faced by #Arctic are acute.

You live in one of them! Magma areas are #hubs for #ourism #Fish farming #acaculture and #Mining

Published 21/01/2022

Good reception for Magma's capstone project

Earlier in November, Gjermund Kolltveit attended a research conference in Berlin with a poster presentation on Magma's bell stone project. The 11th symposium of ISGMA (International Study Group on Music Archaeology) brought together music archaeologists from all over the world. Some researchers participated digitally, but a surprising number were physically present at the Humboldt Forum in the centre of the German capital. In addition to poster presentations, the conference included presentations on new discoveries and new interpretations, workshops and concerts.

The poster entitled "Klokkesteiner.no - Geology meets cultural history in online documentation of ringing stones" was placed prominently on the door to the conference hall. In addition to text and images, the poster showed the visual structure of the website.

During the oral presentation, Kolltveit showed how the website is structured and played a video recording from "Syngaren" at Nedre Åmdal in Eigersund. It is one of the bell stones with a spectacular sound, which aroused great enthusiasm. The poster and presentation were very well received.

The website klokkesteiner.no (technically a link to a subpage of Magma's website) is now operational with Norwegian and English text. The stones are added continuously during the autumn and winter months. So far, we have over a hundred stones on the list. Many have already been documented, and others will be added during the winter months, unless snow and cold weather dictate otherwise... We are planning a launch event in the spring. Stay tuned!

Published 06/12/2021

Art programme The Tide is Changing

An art programme that explores the connection between tides, industry and people!

The art programme The Tide is Changing explores the interconnection between tides, industry and people. It has been created in collaboration between curator Ida Højgaard and client Eigersund Næring og Havn and Magma UNESCO Global Geopark, which aims to protect, communicate and support the area's geological heritage and diversity. The art programme stems from a shared desire to promote art in the region and to work with art as a focus area to offer unique natural and cultural experiences for both locals and visiting guests. New public artworks will open up new questions, reflections and perspectives on how we can live in harmony with nature and engage more people in Nordic geology and contemporary art.The art programme is a 3-year plan that sets the framework for how artists can work with art in the intertidal landscape and in the development of environmentally friendly sea areas. In 2020, an art committee was appointed, consisting of nine members with representatives from the local public authorities, Dalane Folkemuseum, Magma UNESCO Global Geopark, Velferden - Sokndals Scene for Contemporary Art and KAKE.

Three Nordic artists/artist groups have been invited to submit proposals for a site-specific art project that relates to and creates dialogue around the unique geological landscape and harbour area of Egersund in Dalande. The aim of the competition is to obtain proposals for an innovative art project that can both mark the amphidromic point and form a flexible and attractive meeting place that can constitute a unifying element for the geopark and the Dalane region. The submitted proposals will be exhibited in the pedestrian street in Egersund in September 2021.

The project has been created in collaboration with the Art Committee for the art programme, Eigersund Municipality and curator Ida Højgaard. The project is supported by KORO Public Art Norway, Rogaland County Council and Eigersund Municipality.

The competition runs until August 2021.
The winning proposal is scheduled for completion in October 2023.

See the art programme here

Published 31/08/2021

The ArcticHubs project

One of Geopark's missions is to work with the 17 UNSDGs in search of common strategies to combat climate change.

The project will be coordinated by Natural Research Institute of Finland represented by Dr Pasi Rautio. The ArcticHubs project is led by a consortium of 21 partners (one of which is Magma Geopark) from 11 countries, two outside Europe. 15 of the participants are academic or governmental research organisations, 2 are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and 4 are testing partners.

The ArcticHubs project is an ambitious, interdisciplinary international collaboration that aims to develop research-led, practice-based solutions to address the major challenges facing the Arctic.

We've prepared some #ArcticHubsFacts infographics for you to quickly get an insight into the project's deliverables and goals at project website

Feel free to join the #ArcticHubs network, subscribe to our newsletter!

Link for subscription: Newsletters

Published by 24/05/2021

Geofood has been recognised as the best project 2021 by IGCP!

Over the past 20 years, the concept of UNESCO Global Geoparks has changed the way geology and geological heritage are viewed by the general public. Geological heritage is no longer limited to specific geosites, it has become the driving force behind local sustainable development, along with other natural and cultural values. In this context, GEOfood was created as an international movement that promotes the connections between local food and geological heritage, so that these can be used to enhance sustainable development in UNESCO Global Geoparks. GEOfood aims to raise awareness of geological heritage and its connection to local food production and people's livelihoods. GEOfood products are labelled to make consumers aware of the strong link between food production and geological diversity. This project proposes a scientific approach to GEOfood, starting from the connection between geological heritage, geodiversity, ecosystem services, food production and sustainable development. Based on this study, the project will establish methods for GEOfood assessment, implementation and results. Procedures, guidelines, printed materials and other tools will be created to implement the concept in more than 26 areas around the world. The results will then be analysed and disseminated in the scientific community as well as in the international networks of UNESCO Global Geopark.

The "GEOfood for Sustainable Development in UNESCO Global Geoparks" project received the IGCP Council "Special Award"

Published by 16/03/2021

New project focusing on education, UNSDGs on GEOfood

GEOfoodEDU is a two-year project, funded by NORA (Nordic Atlantic Cooperation). NORA is an intergovernmental organisation under the regional co-operation programme of the Nordic Council of Ministers, bringing together Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Coastal Norway.

GEOfoodEDU, led by Magma Geopark, will work to develop innovative strategies for sustainable development, and work to facilitate good practices related to food consumption through the development of customised learning materials.

GEOfoodEDU will, among other things, through the use of the brand GEOfood disseminate good environmental practices related to the use of local food. GEOfoodEDU aims to expand the use of the brand to the NORA region, with local food producers, restaurants, incentivising the use of km-zero food chain and the use of traditional regional food. The GEOfoodEDU partners will investigate the feasibility of creating GEOfood routes tailored for "slow travel" and based on local cultural heritage, and are also implementing the innovative teaching app TeachOUT in this endeavour.

Partners in the project are:

1. Magma UNESCO Global Geopark (Magma) - Norway (leader)

2. Katla UNESCO Global Geopark (Katla) - Iceland

3. Geological Survey of Faroes (Faroes) - Faroe Islands

Expected project results:

a) Educational material related to sustainable development in food production; (GEOfood MANIFESTO), biodiversity, geological diversity, food waste reduction and soil protection.

b) Storytelling based on local cultural heritage for potential GEOfood products and restaurants. Each producer and restaurant is given a specific description explaining to consumers the peculiarity of the local geological heritage and related foods.

c) New games for TeachOUT-APPEN.

d) Map and booklet with collected recipes, legends and intangible heritage stories from local communities related to local foods.

e) Videos about selected sites in the geoparks, and sustainability issues related to local food and cultural heritage.

f) Short report on the implementation of the GEOfood brand in the aspiring Geopark - with specific focus on the Faroe Islands.

g) Promotion of the brand TeachOUT APP and GEOfood in the NORA region.

RURITAGE Annual General Meeting

One of Geopark's missions is to work with the 17 UNSDGs in search of common strategies to combat climate change.

The ArcticHubs project is an ambitious, interdisciplinary international collaboration that aims to develop research-led, practice-based solutions to address the major challenges facing the Arctic.

We've prepared some #ArcticHubsFacts infographics for you to quickly get an insight into the project's deliverables and goals at project website

Feel free to join the #ArcticHubs network, subscribe to our newsletter!

Link for subscription: Newsletters

Magma Geopark is one of 38 partners in the RURITAGE project. This project is funded by the EU and aims to develop strategies to generate value creation based on our natural and cultural heritage.

Magma Geopark has been selected to host RURITAGE's Annual General Meeting on 27 and 28 May. More than 100 guests were supposed to visit Magma for this gathering, but due to Covid-19 it has been decided to conduct the entire gathering digitally. Although disappointed, we are looking forward to welcoming all our partners to our beautiful little spot on earth in May 2021!

The theme of the meeting will be; What are the main challenges and opportunities within the 6 selected areas of RURITAGE (pilgrimage, local food, arts & festivals, resilience, landscape and migration)? What are the biggest challenges and needs of our local partners? How can we support them through RURITAGE?

Conclusions and input will be shared on Magma Geopark's website and in social media.

Published by 13/05/2020

Magma UNESCO2030

The project is the result of a targeted focus on tourism in Magma Geopark that has been going on for years, as well as the EU project Ruritage, which aims to develop local areas based on existing assets and thus increase local value creation.
The main goal of MagmaUNESCO2030 is to develop the geographical area of Magma UNESCO Global Geopark into a year-round, sustainable destination

Main goals: Magma UNESCO2030 will develop the region into a sustainable, year-round tourism destination. Stakeholders are working together to develop attractive offers and tourism infrastructure that provides more year-round traffic and increased local value creation.

Key deliverables: The tourism industry will be developed and treated as a growth industry in all UNESCO municipalities.

We will make decisions based on measurable results to increase efficiency and value creation.
We will create and implement a forward-looking strategy for the digital transformation of the tourism industry in the UNESCO municipalities in order to provide our guests with customised experiences.
We will provide tourism operators in the UNESCO municipalities with expertise as a tool for development, innovation and increased earnings.

More here: https://magmaunesco2030.no/om-prosjektet/

Published by 28/04/2020

Arctic hub

The Arctic is threatened by increasing competition to secure the region's natural resources. The project ArticHub will work towards developing sustainable solutions to balance the complex pressures faced by the Arctic regions, with a particular focus on safeguarding the needs and cultural heritage of the affected communities.

Target The aim of the project is to support sustainable economic development in these northern regions. This will be achieved by applying various interdisciplinary approaches, including by systematically mapping, identifying and analysing what is driving this development globally. The aim is also to gain an overview of the environmental, social and economic ripple effects of this development. This is done by analysing 33 key factors, including fish farming, forestry, tourism and mining, to see what level of sustainability is involved.

The result of the ArcticHub project will be a solution-oriented tool. This will improve the ability to get an overview of how local people need to be involved in such development, the role of the public sector, future possible scenarios in Arctic societies, industrial interests, various decision-makers, etc. This will enable the establishment and implementation of regional development strategies that reconcile new economic opportunities with traditional livelihoods. The aim is also for these vulnerable areas to experience increased resilience for both new and existing industries, both environmentally, economically and in the event of political changes in the area.

At an overarching level, the aim of the project is that these impacts will contribute to the implementation of the new integrated EU Arctic policy, IPPC assessments and other major regional and global initiatives. It also aims to contribute to increased support for the EU's Arctic research cluster and strengthen engagement and interaction between local/indigenous, national and global actors. In the Arctic Hub, Magma Geopark will be involved in the mining industry, fish farming and sustainable tourism, while Rogaland County Council will be involved in the mining industry's project expertise.

Value creation project

Magma Geopark AS is a non-profit organisation registered in the Norwegian Register of Voluntary Organisations. Four of the five municipalities are municipalities with special challenges. The boundaries of the 2,326 square kilometre geopark have been determined administratively, but the municipalities are determined on the basis of the geology in the area. In this project, we will further develop the basis for the geopark and the collaboration with the local business community. There will be a special focus on contributing to attractive local communities by developing activities for residents and tourists. The geopark is seeing an increase in tourism and wants to continue working with the 46 geopark locations that have been selected in collaboration with the municipalities. The goal is for all 46 geopark locations to have developed infrastructure by 2022 and at least 2/3 completed by the end of 2020 (https://magmageopark.no/en/discover-experience/locations/). There are still some that are partially completed and need updating and 26 that have not been processed and need further measures. Mapping and quality assurance of localities and quality assurance of activities linked to these with regard to avalanche safety. Prepare information material, link activities and companies and present these in packages. Organisation of two disused mines as attractions: Plan for safety, labelling and organisation of visits to each of the mines in question. So far, the Gursli and Liland mines in Lund municipality, the Blåfjell mines in Sokndal municipality and the Ørsdalen mines in Bjerkreim municipality have become visitor mines. These three are in need of maintenance, while a visitor mine will also be established at Hidra in Flekkejford municipality and at Ankerhus mine in Eigersund.

Published by 26/04/2019

Northern Georoutes

The aim of the project is to develop new tourist experiences in the partners' countries, through the development of an on-line promotional web platform for tourist packages. The driving force behind the project is related to the geoparks' need for a common platform and a greater opportunity for tourists to choose organised trips to the geoparks.

Resultater:

1. Innovative Geoparks-NORA tourism products
2. Geopark online SmartGuide and TurfHunt.

The project was active between 2013-2015.

Nordic Culture Fund/ GEOmuseum

The aim of the GEOmuseum project is to communicate the geological and cultural heritage of the Nordic region. The project is helping to develop four museum concepts that will share the geological and cultural heritage of the Nordic region. Magma UNESCO Global Geopark and partners have received funding from the Nordic Culture Fund to support the development of the four GEOmuseums' storytelling, design of materials and appearances, promotional materials, exhibition website, app and opening events.

The partners in this project are Jardfeingi Faroese Earth and Energy Directorate (Faroe Islands), Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO World Heritage Site (Greenland) and Katla Geopark (Iceland).

GEOmuseum aims to to value and communicate the geological and cultural heritage of the Nordic region within educational and cultural itineraries displayed in the partner's exhibition centre. The main outcome of the project has been to set up the GEOmuseum branding module to be duplicated in Geoparks around the world. The project outcome has been the organisation of four pilot GEOmuseum for the dissemination of the cultural heritage and the common geological processes in the Nordic countries involved. GEOmuseum is equipped with a virtual corner with geoVR for an unforgettable unique experience around Europe that can be linked to each geopark.

Published by 08/10/2018

GeoVR

GeoVR is developed with funding from Rogaland County Council, Drifting Apart, NORA and the Nordic Culture Fund, opens up the world's geological history to a whole new audience using images, illustrations, sounds, technology and interactivity. An innovative content management system, manuals and training programmes allow users to upload images and content to the platform themselves.

GeoVR is an international concept developed by Magma UNESCO Global Geopark and Doublethink, aiming to make geological and cultural heritage accessible to everyone. The GeoVR exhibition is now available at the Magma Geopark office in Egersund, and at all project partners: Faroe Islands, Iceland, Scotland, Russia and Canada. The territories promote each other in the virtual platform through the user's interactive experience.

Geology is the key to understanding how our planet has evolved, and geoparks around the world are an endless source of knowledge and reflection. Experiencing geology through virtual reality will add a new and unique dimension to this exploration.

Published by 30/08/2018

NORA geoVR

Magma UNESCO Global Geopark is grateful and proud to have received funding from NORA (Nordic Atlantic Co-operation). These funds have been used to develop GeoVR in collaboration with the aspiring geopark in the Faroe Islands, Katla UNESCO Geopark in Iceland and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland. The GEO Museum will establish a joint geological exhibition in all the areas involved in the project, educational material and information brochures.

The two-year project funded by NORA has supported the development of the Content Management System. This gives partners access to the exhibition's equipment and will include new destinations in the virtual platform, geoVR. This opens up a virtual world where amazing experiences and unique geology will be available to everyone, without causing damage and wear to exposed areas.

Published by 30/08/2018

Drifting Apart

The project started in 2015 and ended in March 2018. The project has been a motivating and enlightening adventure, building new bridges between continents that share a common geological, natural and cultural heritage. The main results from the project are: Best practice manual for the tourism industry, manual to support territories wishing to become a Unesco Global Geopark, geoheritage interpretation tools, the common geological storyline and geoVR virtual exhibition.
Developed by Doublethink and Magma Geopark, the geoVR software creates a virtual itinerary that allows visitors to travel in time and space across the world.

The partners in Drifting Apart are from Norway, Iceland, Canada, Russia, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. The project was funded by the European Commission's Interreg North Periphery Programme.

GEOfood

The GEOfood project was funded by the Norden Fund-KreaNord programme from March 2014 to June 2016. The project's aim was to boost local food as a unique Geopark experience, valorise the local SMEs in the Nordic food and tourism sector and promote creative industries. The project has also worked to expand the geoparks' offering to tourists with specialised packages, including local food, and increase the visibility of the geoparks by developing a tailored booking system. One of the key outcomes of this project was the establishment of official criteria for developing local food and supporting local business for UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGG). GEOfood is now the official label of local food produced and processed in European UNESCO geoparks, has now been adopted by 7 UGGs and will be further implemented. Magma UNESCO Global Geopark was the leader of the project. Partners: Odsherred Global Geopark (Denmark), Rokua Global Geopark (Finland), Reykjanes Geopark Project (Iceland). Affiliated partners: Stonehammer Global Geopark (Canada), Fernando de Noronha Aspiring Geopark (Brazil), Shetland Global Geopark (Scotland) and Subbeticas Global Geopark (Spain).

Magma UNESCO Global Geopark was the leader of the project. Partners: Odsherred Global Geopark (Denmark), Rokua Global Geopark (Finland), Reykjanes Geopark Project (Iceland). Affiliated partners: Stonehammer Global Geopark (Canada), Fernando de Noronha Aspiring Geopark (Brazil), Shetland Global Geopark (Scotland) and Subbeticas Global Geopark (Spain).

ESTEAM

The ESTEAM project is a result of of personal experiences and wishes from science teachers. We have experienced that learning programmes and learning processes are becoming increasingly comprehensive, fast and demanding.

Traditional teaching and learning is falling behind on many fronts. Modern, interactive and fun ways of learning, with modern technologies incorporated into the learning process, are sought after. This includes customised ICT technology. Internationalisation is promoted, and there is also increased use of digital learning, if possible in combination with teaching in the field.

The ESTEAM project aims to to increase the quality of teaching in schools by using innovative methods that link the national knowledge goals to the development of a mobile learning platform (ICT) in combination with outdoor teaching. In addition, this work will result in a Guide for Teachers in Natural Science Education - ESTEAM methodology Step by step guide.

The main goal is to improve the learning process using a combination of ICT technology and outdoor activities.

Published by 30/08/2018

Purification

Ruritage started 1 June 2018 and is a four-year project. It is funded by the European Commission H2020 Programme and has a total budget of approximately EUR 18 million. The project focuses on strengthening cultural heritage as a driver for sustainable growth by establishing transforming rural areas into laboratories. The project involves 39 partners from 14 different countries. The leader of the project is the University of Bologna. Magma will act as one of six replicators in the project, capitalising on the experiences and learnings of other partners, so-called "role models" in the different areas of interest: pilgrimage, local food production, migration, resilience, arts and festivals and integrated landscape management.

Among other things, Magma will work continue with the already established GEOfood brand, and work to get it more integrated into our geopark. We also look forward to learning from other territories how to successfully engage local stakeholders and promote the brand.

Nordic GeoGuide School part 1, Nordplus Horizontal

The aim of the Nordic GeoGuide School was to strengthen education and private businesses in local areas by implementing a joint education programme in three Nordic geoparks. The project empowered local education and areas by encouraging members of the local, and especially rural, community to become guides and promote the geological and cultural heritage of their local environment. The overall aim of the project was to provide visitors to the geopark with new knowledge, while preserving and protecting the area. In co-operation with Katla Geopark (Iceland) and Silurian Geopark project (Estonia).

Published by 01/03/2011

The hunt for local food, Regional Research Fund Western Norway, Regional Research Fund Western Norway

The aim of the project was to improve our understanding and knowledge of local food and local contributors, both private and public. It was desirable to gather an overview of existing offers and what measures could be implemented to facilitate the production of local food. In collaboration with the University of Stavanger, an analysis was carried out in which Magma Geopark concluded that there is a need for and a lack of local food producers. Discussions were held on topics such as local food festivals, food offerings, producers and outlets in the Rogaland region.

Published by 01/01/2011

KISOLL: Knowledge Investment Strategy at Local Level

As part of the KISoLL project, four regions from four different countries with their regional structures and experiences were brought together to improve research and technological development (R&D) in their respective areas. This was done by providing regional decision-makers with better planning aids, guidelines and new tools. In the implementation of the project, knowledge of successful R&D policies and lessons learnt was disseminated to the other participating regions. This knowledge ultimately gave local stakeholders access to possible investment projects and enabled them to make promising decisions. EU sponsored project.

Published 06/03/2010