The European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) is a consortium set up by the French Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) and the Italian Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) in order to ensure the long term scientific exploitation of the VIRGO interferometric antenna for gravitational waves (GW) detection, the largest GW detector in Europe, as well as to foster European collaboration in this upcoming field. It is located in the countryside near Pisa in the Comune of Cascina. EGO pursues these main objectives: - ensure the commissioning of the VIRGO antenna for gravitational waves, its operation, maintenance and upgrades; the Virgo GW detector is now in its "Advanced" phase and to its upgrade are collaborating also Dutch, Hungarian and Polish research institutions. - create and run a computing center for the data analysis; - ensure the maintenance of the site and its related infrastructures; - promote R&D activities useful for the detection of gravitational waves; - carry out any other research in the field of gravitation of common interest to the Members; - promote cooperation in the field of the experimental and theoretical gravitational waves research in Europe; - promote contacts among scientists and engineers, the dissemination of information and the advanced training of young researchers.