Firstly we created a harmonised classification system called “HRC-SYS” for reporting groundwater research and knowledge in Europe. To this end, we reviewed academic, industrial and research classification schemes, created a hierarchical structure and selected a list of 284 keywords, derived from programmes, papers, projects and reports, considered fundamental to identify relationships and intersections between three main categories, named Research Topics, Operational Actions and Societal Challenges (which represent the interface of the research & knowledge with the EU society). This classification, based on a 3D visualisation related to these categories, is supported by a web-service repository of metadata: the European Inventory of Groundwater Research (EIGR). Advanced search and query functions for statistics, diagrams and data mining were implemented to support users in data upload, search and analyses.
Secondly, a EU-wide assessment of existing practical and scientific knowledge on hydrogeology research and innovation in Europe was performed, with the help of 19 national member associations of EFG, using the previously developed classification system and identifieddata sources. To facilitate them, an orientation workshop was organised and a manual and checklist for data entry delivered. The associations shared their tasks and the KINDRA objectives with stakeholders in their respective countries organising workshops. These associations and KINDRA partners have uploaded into the EIGR more than 2.000 metadata related to groundwater research and knowledge in Europe, following the classification criteria, including materials from universities, research centres, government bodies, territorial administrative and private sector. After their validation, the EIGR was made publically accessible in spring 2017.
Lastly an analysis was performed on collected metadata from the EIGR and from scientific databases, to identify research gaps and trends in hydrogeology research and test the EIGR potential. The analyses resulted in recommendations regarding policy development and implementation, with particular attention to the WFD and GWD and taking into account the Societal Challenges.
In parallel, the needs for a sustainable exploitation of the EIGR were assessed and led to a long-term plan for up-scaling and a short-term plan that currently guarantees full public access for the entire groundwater community to search and upload records and to analyse contents.
Alongside the technical activities, a broad visibility of KINDRA has been pursued with the aims to 1) increase societal understanding of the importance of groundwater and 2) raise awareness on the classification system and the inventory amongst practitioners and scientists to facilitate future exploitation. A project image, website, Facebook, Linked-in page and You tube channel were created and kept updated. For the 1st objective, 2 "Did-you-know?" brochures and 2 video’s were published and distributed to inform young people, a.o. at 8 Researcher’s Nights. For the 2nd objective, 4 brochures were released; KINDRA was presented at more than 35 sector conferences, workshops, congresses, exhibitions or working groups; 16 articles and abstract were published; the European Geologist journal dedicated an edition to the project and many news items have been diffused by partners, EFG members and IAH amongst European geologists. A panel of 10 experts has been actively involved to give feedback and advice and a final conference was organised in Brussels.
