The Copernicus Marine National Collaboration Program

The Copernicus Program, part of the EU Space program, is a publicly funded initiative benefiting European citizens by providing comprehensive Earth observation data. It transforms information from satellites and in-situ measurement systems into value-added data, supporting regional, national, European, and international efforts to address global challenges like marine environment preservation, climate change, land management, and atmospheric pollution. By offering free and open access, the program fosters innovation and the development of diverse applications and services. The Copernicus Marine Service provides reliable, regular information on the global and regional status of the Blue (physical), White (sea ice), and Green (biogeochemical) ocean. It aligns with EU policies and international commitments, addressing societal needs for ocean knowledge, supporting the Blue Economy, and contributing to marine protection, pollution control, maritime safety, renewable marine energy, and climate monitoring. Its comprehensive coverage includes current situation (analysis), 10-day forecasts, and retrospective data records (reprocessing of in-situ and satellite observations and reanalysis of model simulations). The program's significance extends beyond data provision to facilitating value-added services through innovative applications, referred to as "use cases." These downstream applications illustrate Copernicus data usage in various Blue Economy sectors, inspiring new users and stakeholders. Each entrusted entity engages actively with users to develop these applications and assist stakeholders in leveraging the data effectively. To enhance user engagement, the Copernicus Marine Service launched six calls for tenders during its first phase (2015-2021), receiving 122 bids and signing 40 contracts. In its second phase (2021-2028), the National Collaboration Program (NCP) was introduced with €6M funding to support the development of downstream services at national and transnational levels. The program includes four calls for tenders focusing on coastal and Arctic hubs, environmental EU policies, and stakeholder mapping to serve the Blue Market. Co-designed with the Copernicus Marine Forum, comprising representatives from EU Member and contributing States, NCP aims to increase uptake of Copernicus Marine Services by national coastal services. Thus far, 40 use cases have been funded through 15 projects involving 29 organizations across 12 European countries, driving innovation and advancing ocean governance.