As the 8th Framework programme for the EC is being prepared the interest for pan-European Research Infrastructures is growing. In particular, in the context of European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures ESFRI European Scientific, scientific communities are encouraged to develop their own vision and identify present and future needs and gaps and how European infrastructure will contribute to international needs.

The European Commission has asked the EGU to help it drive an evaluation of the research infrastructure needs in the geosciences and to help the ESFRI board develop a road map for environmental infrastructure.

The process will be launched by the European Commission (Research Infrastructures) and EGU at this Town Hall event in EGU in spring 2011 and will be followed by a dedicated workshop to be held in Brussels later in 2011