Shaping the future of CLMS: EvoLand present at the 1st CLMS General Assembly

EvoLand joined the 1st CLMS General Assembly from 3^rd to 4^th of June 2024 in Antwerp, available also online (Day 1 and Day 2 links). Discussions on CLMS plans and developments, exploration of use cases and user requirements, engaging interactive marketplace and poster sessions, as well as presentations on research projects and the strategic agenda were at the core of the event dynamic agenda.

EvoLand was presented during the Strategic Research Agenda and Horizon Europe projects session by Ruben Van De Kerchove, Scientific Coordinator at VITO Remote Sensing. Ruben explained that “The primary goal of EvoLand is to enhance the quality and efficiency of CLMS. By providing tangible proof of potential improvements, we aim to ensure the continuity of the service while making it more attractive and responsive to European policy needs”.

Reflections on key insights were provided by Ivan Kulis, Head of Unit, Nature Conservation and Observation, JRC, Karl Hamilton, Head of Data and Information Services from EEA & Mauro Facchini, Head of Unit for Earth Observation, DG DEFIS towards the end of Day 2 of the event:

• Uptake: Copernicus stands out as a user-driven programme, it is about usability, fundamentally driven innovation and enhanced continuity
• Integration: next frontier is the addition of different datasets, i.e. EO and in situ, as well as social and economic data to for a competitive green Europe
• Community: CLMS constitutes a growing community not only in terms of numbers but also number of profiles coming together private, academia and policy coming together to evolve Copernicus and implementation of Earth Observation for sustainability

As EvoLand moves forward, the project is approaching its mid-term and we are at the end of the first development cycle and will soon begin the second cycle.  In this second cycle we will incorporate valuable feedback from various sources, including this event and the stakeholder consultation event. This feedback will be critical in refining our approach and ensuring that we meet the needs and expectations of all stakeholders.