FOCCUS: supporting ocean action with improvements to European coastal monitoring and forecasting

The Horizon Europe FOCCUS project (Forecasting and Observing the Open-to-Coastal Ocean for Copernicus Users, foccus-project.eu), is enhancing the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) for coastal zones. In collaboration with European Member State Coastal Systems (MSCS) and users, FOCCUS aims to improve and advance the coastal dimension of CMEMS by enhancing existing capability, developing innovative coastal products focusing on three key pillars: i) improving new coastal observations by fusing high-resolution remote sensing and in-situ data and implementing new technologies and approaches, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to improve accuracy; ii) developing advanced hydrology and coastal models including a pan-European hydrological ensemble for improved river discharge predictions, and establishing a unified coastal system by testing new methodologies in MSCS production chains while taking advantage of stochastic simulation, ensemble approaches, and AI technology; and iii) demonstrating innovative products and improved co-produced services that address both Environmental and Societal Challenges, enhancing the performance and societal relevance of coastal ocean forecasting systems in and downstream of CMEMS. As an endorsed action under the UN Ocean Decade’s CoastPredict program, FOCCUS aligns its efforts with international initiatives, fostering collaboration to address the complex challenges of coastal regions worldwide. FOCCUS collaborates with relevant international initiatives, such as the COSS-TT (Coastal Ocean and Shelf Seas Task Team under OceanPredict) and UN Decade programmes (such as CoastPredict, DITTO, and the Decadal Collaborative Center on Coastal Resilience (DCC-CR)). The project emphasizes co-production and collaboration with end-users, policy-makers, and local communities. Through stakeholder engagement and the development of new science-policy interfaces, FOCCUS enhances the societal relevance of coastal forecasting systems, supporting decision-making processes for sustainable coastal management and climate adaptation strategies. Ultimately, FOCCUS provides high-quality, trusted marine knowledge needed for evidence-based management, supporting a sustainable blue economy, and building climate resilience for European and global communities. The consortium consists of 19 partners from 11 countries bringing together a diverse range of expertise in oceanography, observational science, advanced modeling, and technology development, exemplifying the power of international collaboration in advancing ocean sciences and technologies.

FOCCUS is funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement No. 101133911). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.