Geological Survey of Finland to lead a critical raw materials project in Central Asia

The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) will take the lead role as coordinator of the Data4CRM project, announced at the EU–Central Asia Economic Forum in 26th November in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. European Union currently regards the project as the most important regional cooperation initiative in the field of critical raw materials.

The Data4CRM project aims to enhance the capacity for collecting, managing, analysing and disseminating data related to critical raw materials in the target countries. It will also improve the attractiveness of these countries as investment destinations by increasing access to geological information. All five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan – can participate in the project.

The project will start in December 2025 and run until the end of 2029. Its budget is €7.5 million. Funding will come mainly from the European Union, with co-financing from Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

– I am pleased that GTK’s expertise and experience are highly valued by the European Commission and Central Asian countries. Our role is significant in implementing the EU’s raw material partnerships both in Africa and Central Asia. At the same time, we can promote the export of Finnish companies’ expertise and technologies, says Kimmo Tiilikainen, Director General of GTK.

New cooperation between EU and Central Asia

Six new cooperation agreements, worth nearly €100 million, were signed during the Economic Forum.

1. DATA4CRM (€7.5M) – modernising geological data to attract investors.
2. SECURE CRM (€3M) – building transparent supply chains for critical raw materials.
3. GROW CRM (€3M) – developing new CRM projects with the EBRD.
4. Aral Sea Project (€8.8M + €40M in loans) – restoring degraded ecosystems.
5. – 6. BOMCA (€12M) and CADAP (€18M) – supporting border security and tackling drug trafficking.

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