The conference also showcased the work done under EO4GEO and defined how the Blueprint project will transition into post-project legacy led by the EO4GEO skills Alliance aimed at supporting skills building in the sector. The impact of bridging the skills gap will contribute towards forming a workforce capable to support and implement numerous policies such as the European Green Deal and the monitoring of the UN’s SGDs.

To learn more about EO4GEO’s mission to bridge the skills gap in the space/geospatial sector and for additional context on the discussion, please consult the EO4GEO Sector Skills Strategy report, which defines specific actional objectives on the way forward.

Agenda, presentations and videos

DAY 1: 17th May 2022

Session: EO4GEO Sector Skills Alliance: way forward. Watch the video

• Welcoming statement – Vytaute Ezerskiene, Project Officer, EACEA
• Lessons learnt from the EO4GEO Alliance and the steps forward – Danny Vandenbroucke, EO4GEO scientific coordinator, KU Leuven
• Uptake of EO4GEO results and open discussion on the way forward
• Wrap-up of open discussion on the way forward
• Panel discussion and closing remarks  – Moderator: Danny Vandenbroucke

Session: Need for new EO*GI skills. Watch the video

• Opening statement – Julie Fionda – Deputy Head of Unit, Skills and Qualifications, DG Employment, European Commission

I. Policy context

• Skills supporting the growth of the space ecosystem – Maria Vittoria D’Inzeo – Policy Officer, DG DEFIS, European Commission. Download the presentation
• Green skills to support Europe’s green transition – Solveig Zophoniasdottir – Learning Services Lead, EIT Climate-KIC. Download the presentation.

II. Initiatives and activities addressing EO*GI skills building

• ESA skills-building and educational activities on Earth Observation – Natacha Callens, ESA Academy Administrator, European Space Agency. Download the presentation.
• Market needs influencing the EO*GI skills of the future – Chiara Solimini, Space Downstream Market Officer – European Union Agency for the Space Programme. Download the presentation.
• EO needs for monitoring of land policies – Rene Colditz, Policy Officer at DG CLIMATE ACTION, European Commission. Download the presentation.
• EO*GI skills building in international context – Robert Eckardt – Project Coordinator ‘EO College & EO Connect’, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; EOTEC DevNet. Watch the video

III. EO4GEO addressing the EO*GI skills gap

• EO4GEO: addressing the skills gap in the EO*GI sector – Danny Vandenbroucke – EO4GEO scientific coordinator, KU Leuven. Download the presentation.
• Testimonials session on the use of EO4GEO tools – Eugenia Sarafova – Senior Assistant Professor, Sofia University. Download the presentation. Juan José Sáenz de la Torre – Head of Communications, Predictia. Download the presentation.

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Day 2: 18th May 2022

Session: Recognising and addressing skills gaps in the EO*GI sector. Watch the video

• A welcome note and introduction to the EO4GEO Alliance and its role in EO*GI skills building – Milva Carbonaro, EO4GEO project coordinator, GISIG. Download the presentation
• Skills development demands in the private EO*GI sector – Babs Dumont – HR Director, Geographic Information Management NV. Download the presentation
• Skills development demands in the public EO*GI sector – Ingrid Vanden Berge – General manager, National Geographic Institute of Belgium. Download the presentation
• Need for EO*GI skills in local and regional governments – Francisco Wallenstein – Chairman of the Board of Directors RAEGE Azores Association. Download the presentation
• Citizen science in the EO*GI sector– Linda See – Senior Research Scholar, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. Download the presentation
• A new look at IoT: the Interrelationships of Things in the EO*GI sector – Anna Spiteri – Managing Director, Integrated Resources Management Co.Ltd. Download the presentation
• PANEL DISCUSSION – Identifying and addressing skills gaps in the domain of EO*GI. Watch the video