SPACE4ALL AT THE EO FOR AFRICA SYMPOSIUM
Frascati, Italy – From September 22 to 25, 2024, SPACE4ALL contributed to the EO For Africa Symposium. The event - organized by the European Space Agency (ESA) and hosted at the ESA-ISRIN in Frascati, Italy - underscored the importance of public-private partnerships, funding dynamics, and the translation of research into actionable policy relevant to the African continent.
The event brought together diverse stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives, to explore EO's current state and its future in Africa. Our team member, Lorraine Trento Oliveira presented two posters: one related to the ONEKANA project, which leverages EO and artificial intelligence to map deprived areas, and another referring to the SPACE4ALL project, utilizing the FastFlood model and citizen science to map and assess flood exposure patterns in Nairobi.
Opportunities - Strengthening Partnerships and Exploring Data
The EO For Africa Symposium provided a great opportunity for sharing knowledge and forging new partnerships. We connected with a diverse set of representatives, including the German Aerospace Center (DRL), Ruhr-Uni Bochum, University of Fort Hare, University of Edinburgh and Technical University of Kenya. Future opportunities also included exploring datasets such as GLC_FCS30D (Landsat LULC product) and leveraging new products like SWOT and NISAR.
Key Takeaways
- Enhance Communication Strategies: Better articulate the value of EO research to stakeholders to improve funding opportunities and public-private partnerships.
- Foster Sustainable Partnerships: Seek long-term collaborations to support the continuity of EO initiatives and ensure data accessibility.
- Integrate Data Sources: Work on integrating EO data with other datasets, particularly socioeconomic data, for a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues.
- Monitor and Evaluate Impact: Develop frameworks to measure the impact of EO projects, ensuring accountability and continual improvement.
