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

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. Governance of EuroGEOSS
GEO HIGH LEVEL WORKING GROUP
Shapes a consoli-dated European view in a GEO context
EuroGEOSS decision-making body
GEO PLENARY: GEO’s primary decision-making body
GEO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Oversees GEO’s activities when the Plenary is not in session
EuroGEOSS ACTION GROUPS
Implement the selected EuroGEOSS pilot applications
EuroGEOSS COORDINATION GROUP
Oversees the implementation of EuroGEOSS
Identifies, proposes, reviews EuroGEOSS pilot applications
Overseen by the HLWG (European Caucus)
Coordination Group (chaired by the Commission (DG GROW + DG RTD)
Coordination group members represent most of the European countries and participating organisations in GEO
Action groups: Implementation building on existing actions & bring them together

5. Characteristics of 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 EuroGEOSS services.
Connection with other relevant initiatives (INSPIRE, European EO and non-EO data into new GEO-relevant applications) is foreseen.
The GCI (including its GEOSS Web Portal and Data Access Broker) to discover and access GEOSS data and knowledge
The Copernicus-DIAS to access Copernicus data and products
ESA-funded Thematic Exploitation Platforms (TEP) to access e.g. computing resources and storage facilities
Data hubs being developed such as e.g. The NextGEOSS test-bed and online prototype platform to harvest and integrate European EO and non-EO data into new GEO-relevant applications
The European Open Science Cloud that will allow European researchers and science and technology professionals to store, share and re-use their data across disciplines and borders

9. Towards Implementation
Fixed term projects from funding programmes such as:
Horizon 2020
Copernicus
Other EU programmes
ESA
National programmes
Open innovation partnerships
To collaborate, benchmark, combine existing developments
To leverage along the value chain
GEO collaborative spirit
Two clear routes for the implementation of EuroGEOSS: 1) Through new fixed term projects 2) Through open innovation partnerships bringing together existing projects. How GEO can help sustain EuroGEOSS products/services?

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 EuroGEOSS products (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 – currently under 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 EuroGEOSS initiative

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. EuroGEOSS shall 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 EuroGEOSS applications
Other space borne resources from national space agencies collaborating through CEOS from 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. Thank you
Interested in GEO?
Interested in EuroGEOSS?