GeoDCAT-AP is an extension of DCAT-AP for describing geospatial datasets, dataset series, and services. It provides an RDF syntax binding for the union of metadata elements defined in the core profile of ISO 19115:2003 and those defined in the framework of the INSPIRE Directive. Its basic use case is to make spatial datasets, data series, and services searchable on general data portals, thereby making geospatial information better searchable across borders and sectors. This can be achieved by the exchange of descriptions of data sets among data portals.

The GeoDCAT-AP specification does not replace the INSPIRE Metadata Regulation nor the INSPIRE Metadata technical guidelines based on ISO 19115 and ISO 19119. Its purpose is give owners of geospatial metadata the possibility to achieve more by providing an additional RDF syntax binding.

GeoDCAT-AP is a joint initiative of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), Unit H.6 (Digital Earth and Reference Data), the Publications Office of the European Union (PO), and the Directorates-General for Informatics (DIGIT, in the context of the ISA² programme and Communications Networks, Content & Technology (CONNECT) of the European Commission. More than 52 people from 12 EU Member States contributed to the specification in the Working Group or during the public review period.

Related links

GeoDCAT-AP working drafts

GeoDCAT-AP implementations