Rare earth elements (REE) are import critical raw material in a large number of modern industrial applications but almost exclusively extracted out of Euope, thus leaving the continent completely dependent on imports. Europe-based REE production shall cover a significant amount of the domestic need and reduce business hazard due to a volatile world market. Bauxite and bauxite residue have been for a long time considered a viable resource of REE. With a large number of bauxite deposits in the ESEE region and a long tradition of aluminum processing industry, which has left also a significant amount of bauxite residue behind, there is a respectable perspective for development of a new REE resource for Europe once geological, mining and technological aspect are well elaborated. The project focuses on extensive data collection on bauxite deposits and bauxite residue accumulations in the ESEE region and their REE abunduces in light of future prospects for REE production to improve European REE supply. Also targeting an increase of innovation capacity in regional bauxite resources management for future developments in REE production, the project constortium will involve students in the execution of the project tasks, and offer several educational events for students and professionals from R&D and industrial sector.