The International Geothermal Association (IGA), founded in 1988, is a scientific, educational and cultural organization established to operate worldwide. It has more than 2000 members in 65 countries. The IGA is a non-political, non-profit, non-governmental organization in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and Partner of the European Union for the Campaign for Take Off (CTO) the Renewable Energy.

The aims of EGEC shall be to promote the use of geothermal energy, as follows:

• In priority, encouraging R and D in the field of geothermal utilization of the existing resources in Europe and allowing the public at large to access to the R and D results and maximise the utilization of this renewable energy.
• By exercising appropriate actions among European institutions to implement a legal and institutional framework and fiscal instruments allowing geothermal sources to compete with conventional energy systems, and to secure economic support in consideration of the environmental benefits.
• By conducting any activity which is intended to promote the market deployment of geothermal energy in Europe and the export of European geothermal technology, services and equipment to other parts of the world.
• By representing the interests of the European geothermal energy industry and users to governments and international organisations, with a view to improving business conditions for the industry.
• By co-operating with national geothermal associations, and in particular with the International Geothermal Association (IGA) and its European branch, and with any other associations promoting research on and application of renewable energy sources, in order to join forces to achieve successful development and implementation in the field of geothermal energy use throughout Europe, and to foster Inter-European cooperation.
• By disseminating, through publications, meetings, discussions or any other activity the use of geothermal energy, as well as its marketing, and to forward information on products and services to authorities, industry, and the public at large.
• By publicising, at European level, the opinions of researchers, engineers,managers, and any other commentators or proponents on the use of geothermal energy, and bringing them to the attention of governments, national and international organisations, decisionmakers, and the public at large.

The Sustainable Energy Europe 2005-2008 Campaign is a European Commission initiative in the framework of the Intelligent Energy - Europe (2003-2006) programme, which aims to raise public awareness and promote sustainable energy production and use among individuals and organisations, private companies and public authorities, professional and energy agencies, industry associations and NGOs across Europe