EuroGEOSS initiative

1. EuroGEOSS initiative CEOS WGISS-46 meeting October 24, 2018 Oberpfaffenhofen Anica Huck European Commission - DG RTDEarth Observation sector

2. Introduction EuroGEOSS • A new, regional GEO initiative launched in October 2017 by the European GEO Caucus • Objective is to significantly increase the benefits for Europe of its participation within GEOSS • Application oriented, based on existing elements ("umbrella" framework) driven jointly by DG RTD & DG GROW • From "data-centric approach" to "user-driven GEOSS" • Focus on Sustainable Development Goals, GEO Societal Benefit Areas and GEO priorities in a European context • Integrate scattered efforts: Horizon 2020, Copernicus, ESA, national initiatives,… • Improving user uptake of the GEOSS assets • Leverage and make European EO assets visible internationally

3. EuroGEOSS strategic activities • Inventory of EO development & innovation actions • Up-scaling of EuroGEOSS pilot applications • Showcasing of European know-how with relevance to GEO • Linkages between EuroGEOSS applications and other GEO actions • Consolidation of national GEO management structures

4. GEO HIGH LEVEL WORKING GROUP • Shapes a consoli-dated European view in a GEO context • EuroGEOSS decision-making body GEO PLENARY: GEO’sprimarydecision-making body Governance of EuroGEOSS GEO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Oversees GEO’s activities when the Plenary is not in session EuroGEOSS COORDINATION GROUP • Oversees the implementation of EuroGEOSS • Identifies, proposes, reviews EuroGEOSS pilot applications EuroGEOSS ACTION GROUPS • Implement the selectedEuroGEOSS pilot applications

5. Characteristicsof EuroGEOSS • Provide a simple and flexible framework(voluntary basis) • EuroGEOSS is specific: a) overcoming fragmentation b) working on the downstream part of the EO value chain • Leverage existing national Earth Observation services activities • Strengthen European GEO coordination • Exploit existing EO European Data Platforms • Branding and promotion • Identification of resources

6. EuroGEOSS in the GEO context Promote: • Existing actions and resources (data, products, services, platforms, expertise), including Copernicus, to be part of Europe's contribution to GEO • Open GEOSS data, as well as the GEO Data Sharing and Data Management Principles and Implementation guidelines in Europe • Use of open data for Earth system science

7. Specific objectives Exploiting synergies between environmental data platforms, data sharing and standards in Europe: • To exploit synergies and increase the use, interoperability and connectivity (enabling e.g. adaptability, agility and scalability) between major Earth observation and environmental data platforms and data clouds co-funded by the public sector and dedicated to open science and innovation • No plan to develop a EuroGEOSS regional infrastructure as there are many already existing • To stimulate the use of environmental data sharing policies and standards

8. Environmental data platforms in Europe Within the EuroGEOSS context, the following research and operational platforms are already identified: • GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) • Copernicus-DIAS • Thematic Exploitation Platforms (TEP) • Data hubs being developed such as e.g. The NextGEOSS test-bed and online prototype platform • European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) Those platforms are positioned at different levels of the EO value chain and complementary to the delivery of EuroGEOSSservices. Connection with other relevant initiatives (INSPIRE, European EO and non-EO data into new GEO-relevant applications) is foreseen.

9. Towards Implementation • Open innovation partnerships • To collaborate, benchmark, combine existing developments • To leverage along the value chain • GEO collaborative spirit • Fixed term projects from funding programmes such as: • Horizon 2020 • Copernicus • Other EU programmes • ESA • National programmes

10. Addressing current gaps in the GEO • Two clear routes for the implementation of EuroGEOSS through new fixed term projects or open innovation partnerships bringing together existing projects • How GEO can help sustain EuroGEOSS products/services? • Current GEOSS platform enables discovering and access data • Evolution of the platform needed to promote/leverage EuroGEOSSproducts (ref. GEO strategic plan)? • Delivery of services/products/applications through GEOSS and EuroGEOSS • Outcome of the commercial sector engagement discussion in GEO?

11. EuroGEOSS and Copernicus Key elements of interaction: • The Copernicus Data and Information Access Services (DIAS) the enabler for the development of the EuroGEOSS projects as the "back-office“ for accessing Copernicus (and other data) • The EuroGEOSS initiative has the potential to considerably enrich the ecosystem of Copernicus and to become an important "front office service" • EuroGEOSS in return can attract additional data to the European ecosystem

12. Ongoing H2020 call on EuroGEOSS • Under Horizon 2020 SC5 – currentlyunder evaluation • Challenge: accelerating the users' uptake of EO data/information for benefit of Europe • Scope: application-oriented initiatives, aimed at up-scaling and promoting existing European GEOSS-actions • Integration of different sorts of data (satellite, in-situ, citizen observatories, land-based, national data,…) • In close coordination with the EuroGEOSSinitiative

13. Request for Expressions of Intent • Mechanism aiming to accelerate user uptake of GEOSS and Copernicus data and to bring synergies between on-going or upcoming EO developments with high market potential • Public or private organisations involved in developing innovative applications based EO and located in European GEO member countries are invited to come forward with voluntary Expressions of Intent for networking along the value chain • Followed by the formation of Action Groups on topics

14. Resources (1) Experience has shown that GEOSS implementation relies significantly on in-kind contributions such as observing capacities, networks, expertise, staff time, interoperability arrangements and standards, datasets, information systems, services, projects and programmes. EuroGEOSSshall follow the same approach with a focus on leveraging existing European capacities and streamlining of existing programmes and funding schemes.

15. Resources (2) • Under Horizon 2020 in 2018 call for € 15 M foreseen to further EuroGEOSS • Copernicus resources (DIAS) will contribute to EuroGEOSS • On-going Horizon 2020-projects will be integrated in the initiative (e.g. agriculture, renewable energy, protected areas, citizen observatories, etc.) • GCI essential resource to develop EuroGEOSSapplications • Other space borne resources from national space agencies collaborating through CEOSfrom Europe and beyond • etc

16. Conclusion • Successful initial phase of EuroGEOSS; engagement of relevant organisations and countries; structure in place; support through Horizon 2020 ensured; connections with the Copernicus programme are established • Two clear routes for the implementation of EuroGEOSS: 1) Through new fixed term projects 2) Through open innovation partnerships bringing together existing projects • In future, improved integration of existing data from European EO assets and initiatives within GEO context into user oriented initiatives envisioned • Effective use of European Earth observation resources (including space, airborne, in-situ measurements and citizens observatories) • Scale-up of scientific results and preparation for operational activities • Part of the Commission proposal for Horizon Europe

17. Thankyou Interested in GEO? https://www.earthobservations.org/index2.php Interested in EuroGEOSS? http://ec.europa.eu/research/eurogeoss