Institutional networks

To realise its objectives and to deliver high-quality results, the JRC depends on lasting partnership arrangements with external entities sharing a common interest in its work programme. This collaboration is called for by the very nature of the JRC's work: harmonisation and validation of methods and measurements, establishment of common standards, and the provision of scientific and technical support in the implementation of European legislation. It also responds to European policy makers' and Member States' increasing demands to establish common scientific reference systems. JRC collaborates with over 1000 partner organisations in around 100 institutional networks.

 

The European Soil Bureau Network

 

The European Soil Bureau Network (ESBN) was created in the late nineties as a network of national soil science institutes. Its main tasks are to collect, harmonise, organise and distribute soil information for Europe. This information concerns environmental issues such as deposition of heavy metals disposal of waste, risk of erosion, supply of water at catchment level, etc.

 

The JRC Institute for Environment and Sustainability hosts the secretariat of the ESBN and provides a central source of information relevant to the work of the European Commission. The network comprises over 40 member organisations from Member States as well as from countries such as Russia, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Serbia, and Croatia.