On the barriers limiting the adoption of the Earth Observation Copernicus data and services and their integration with non-conventional (e.g. citizen) observations: the EU CoRdiNet project contribution.

The Copernicus User Uptake Initiative is part of the European Union’s strategy for increasing the level of awareness of the Copernicus Program at European and worldwide level, fostering the adoption of Copernicus-based data/solution in the everyday life of each kind of potential stakeholder, from Local Regional Authorities (LRA) to Big and/or Small Enterprises to normal citizens. The CoRdiNet (Copernicus Relays for digitalization spanning a Network) projects was funded in the frame of Horizon 2020 Space Hubs call (grant agreement n. 821911), to implement and reinforce the user uptake actions among the network of the so called Copernicus Relays. The latter, as part of the Space strategy for Europe of the European Commission, act as Copernicus Ambassadors, providing their contribution for a better dissemination and promotion of Copernicus-based solution at local/regional scale. Among the goals of the Cordinet project there are: i) Supporting, promoting and stimulating digitalization and new business solutions based on Earth observation data from the Copernicus project; ii) bundling the local expertise in the civil use of Earth observation close to the needs and offers of citizens, administration and businesses.

Earth Observation data from space, in fact, can provide products and services to citizens and can be profitably integrated with non-conventional data, e.g the ones coming from citizen observatories and sciences. However, presently Copernicus data and information are still under-exploited and further efforts are needed to engage stakeholders (including normal citizens), investigating the causes that have prevented from a more systematic and diffuse use of Copernicus/EO data so far. In fact, an increased awareness about the Copernicus program, its data, products and services, will allow for a better integration of non-conventional (e.g. citizen-based) observations, enabling new services and solutions, more close to the citizen needs and requirements for a better quality of life.

With this aim, one of the tasks of the project was specifically devoted to the identification and engagement of the stakeholders within the CoRdiNet partner geographic regions, including also the external ones involved by a specific call for expression of interest, and it was carried out by TeRN in collaboration with CNR-IMAA. In particular, after their engagement, stakeholders were asked to answer to a questionnaire aimed at analyzing their needs and capabilities and evaluating which barriers have prevented for a more systematic use of Copernicus solutions so far in their own activities. Results achieved analyzing collected feedback will be presented and discussed in this work, providing also a few preliminary recommendations about how to cope with the identified gaps.