Carole Mercier

GEFISS - Social Governance for Subsurface Engineering.

What is the GEFISS project ? The project GÉFISS "Gouvernance Élargie pour les Filières d'Ingénierie du Sous-Sol" is a 4-year, multi-partner project that aims to promote social governance methods for subsurface industries. With a budget of €3.5m and twenty partners, the ambitious program of research, analysis, experimentation and communication brings together private, public and academic organisations. The aim of GÉFISS is to promote engagement of the various stakeholders in an informed dialogue on the use of underground resources in the context of the energy transition, in order to facilitate its implementation. The dialogue may relate to the different subsurface industries or to a specific project in a given territory. If the circumstances are found to be favorable, the second aim of GÉFISS is to encourage the co-construction of the conditions of implementation. The research programs are carried out by multidisciplinary teams uniting industrials from various sectors, public and state representatives, research institutes and specialists from multiple disciplines: sociology, social psychology, educational sciences, law and political geography. What are the research programmes ? 1. Social perception and attitudes 2. Stakeholder engagement 3. Cooperative learning methods 4. Political geography of the subsurface 5. Legal and regulatory issues What will the results be? Research results: Regular project workshops enable the partners to contribute to the evolution of the five research programs. Partners have full access to the results and conclusions. Recommended best practices and corresponding training programs: Guidelines on stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle adapted for each subsurface industry. Communication material for educational and information purposes: Communication methods and supports concerning the different sub-surface industries, associated technologies and their respective roles in the energy transition.