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The European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC) & the Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI) sign MoU for strengthening relationships between European and Indian companies in the Geospatial Industry.

Hyderabad, 16th January 2018: The European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC) and the Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 16th of January 2018, on the sidelines of the Geospatial World Forum in Hyderabad. Representatives from the EARSC member companies Airbus, Deimos Imaging, e-geos and Planet as well as our project partner from Caselex attended the ceremony.

This MoU has the objective to establish a formal cooperation initiative between EARSC, responsible for promoting the use of Earth Observation (EO) technology and supporting companies in Europe which offer EO-related products and services, and AGI which is responsible for addressing common concerns and for promotion of the interests of the geospatial industry in India. The concrete objectives of the MoU include:
1. Regular exchange of information and answering requests
2. Production of a joint roadmap for increased future cooperation
3. Cross-promotion of mutual opportunities and interest to export technologies
4. Cooperation in the marketing of showcase applications of mutual interest
5. Organisation of joint meetings/events on an appropriate basis to support and implement the objectives

The main beneficiaries of this MoU would be organisations and firms located in the EU and India that are willing to develop partnerships and joint projects, and are interested in benefitting from the sharing of best practices and exchange of experience, information, people and technologies related to EO which are not available in their home locations.

Commenting on the MoU, Sandeep Srivastava – Executive Director of AGI expressed, “The MoU acts as a foundation of growth and development between the European Union and India and not just EARSC and AGI. This will provide a much-required impetus to the geospatial companies in both geographies to explore mutually beneficial growth opportunities.”

“We’re delighted to have entered in a MoU with AGI. This for us embarks the beginning of a relationship which will greatly benefit the geospatial and EO companies in both EU and India. We’re certain that the conjoined efforts from both organisations will yield great results for our members”, stated Geoff Sawyer – Secretary General of EARSC.

About the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC)

EARSC is a non-profit organisation aimed to promote the use of Earth-observation (EO) and European companies which offer EO-related products and services. Formed in 1989, the organisation has over 100-member companies from throughout Europe with a secretariat office in Brussels. EARSC is actively involved in coordinating and strengthening the EO chain and promoting the European geo-information industry, and also providing a unified voice on wider European and global issues of importance to the industrial sector.

About the Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI)

The Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI) is a non-profit, non-Government, industry body, representing the common and collective interest of the Geospatial Industry in India. Geospatial Technologies encompass a wide range of technologies such as Remote Sensing, Surveying, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Geographical Information System (GIS), Photogrammetry, Image Processing and other emerging technologies that assist the user in the collection, analysis and interpretation of spatial data with reference to geographic information.

AGI members draw representation from the entire workflow of geospatial technologies from spatial data acquisition to spatial data processing, enterprise wide application development, integration, maintenance and update. AGI members are providers of products, applications, solutions and services including hardware, software, platforms, etc.

The European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC) is a trade association based in Brussels. Whilst remaining a membership focused organisation, EARSC has recently been successfully winning contracts to expand its activities to support the industry which it represents. In consequence we are now seeking an Analyst/Project Manager to join our team.

EARSC is a non-profit trade association working on behalf of the geospatial information services industry in Europe; in particular the EO services sector which comprises companies generating information using satellite imagery. Established 27 years ago, today, EARSC has 100 members from throughout Europe.

The Analyst/Project Manager will work in a small team of people, responsible to the EARSC secretary general and ultimately to the EARSC Board of Directors. The job will involve working with the various stakeholders of Copernicus, of developing a strategic picture of the relationships amongst the key players and of developing relationships with those players.

Download the Analyst job description

If you are interested, please send a letter of motivation (in English) and a CV to info@earsc.org.

EO4GEO – Toward an innovative strategy for skills development and capacity building in the space geo-information sector supporting Copernicus User Uptake. EARSC is part of the successful consortia of 26 partners from 16 countries from academia, private and public sector active in the education/training and space/geospatial sectors.

EO4GEO- Towards and innovative strategy for skills development and capacity building in the space geo-information sector supporting Copernicus user uptake is an Erasmus+ Sector Skills Alliance gathering 26 partners (and initially 22 associated partners, looking forward to new adhesions) from 16 countries from academia, private and public sector active in the education/training and space/geospatial sectors. It is coordinated by the Association GISIG and will run over four years, starting from 1st January 2018.

EO4GEO aims to help bridging the skills gap between supply and demand of education and training in the space/geospatial sector by reinforcing the existing ecosystem and fostering the uptake and integration of space/geospatial data and services in end-user applications. EO4GEO will work in an multi- and interdisciplinary way and apply innovative solutions for its education and training actions including: case based and collaborative learning scenarios; learning-while-doing in a living lab environment; on-the-job training; the co-creation of knowledge, skills and competencies; etc.

EO4GEO will define a long-term and sustainable strategy to fill the gap between supply of and demand for space/geospatial education and training taking into account the current and expected technological and non-technological developments in the space/geospatial and related sectors (e.g. ICT). The strategy will be implemented by: creating and maintaining an ontology-based Body of Knowledge for the space/geospatial sector based on previous efforts; developing and integrating a dynamic collaborative platform with associated tools; designing and developing a series of curricula and a rich portfolio of training modules directly usable in the context of Copernicus and other relevant programmes and conducting a series of training actions for a selected set of scenario’s in three sub-sectors – integrated applications, smart cities and climate change to test and validate the approach. Finally, a long-term Action Plan will be developed and endorsed to roll-out and sustain the proposed solutions.

EARSC leads to the Work Package on Sector Skills Strategy. For the time being, you can contact GISIG for more information on the project (please, send an e-mail to m.carbonaro@gisig.it if you want to receive more information). Early 2018 a dedicated website will provide access to information, background documents and other materials.

21 November 2017. EARSC published today its position paper on Earth Observation Services Industry Internationalisation & Economic Diplomacy.

European companies offering Earth Observation (EO) products and services see growth in export business as a major target for the next few years. But most are small or micro-sized and, as a result of their scale, face strong barriers for international business. A European effort on Economic Diplomacy can help companies overcome these barriers.

Alongside the strong industrial competences, the European Copernicus programme is seen as being a major asset to drive growth for Europe. It is a major policy tool by which policy makers can help industry gain competitive advantage for Europe and help drive business growth. Many countries are watching this European effort and at the same time are striving to develop their own competing assets. As Copernicus becomes fully operational, now is the time to take advantage of this European flagship programme in the global market, before others have time to react.

The free and open data policy gives a great deal of diplomatic credit to Europe. But this policy helps non-European companies as much as European ones. If the European Union (EU) is to take full advantage of the investment in Copernicus then a concerted effort is necessary between public and private actors.

In recognition and anticipation, companies are encouraging EARSC to increase its activities with the goal to help them develop new business in international markets. EARSC is ready to play a key role on behalf of its members and welcomes the increased focus from the European Commission (EC) on this same goal. One step could be to establish an Internationalisation Office to act as a source and focus for expertise available to both industry and to the engaged public stakeholders.

Download the position paper on Internationalisation

Geoff Sawyer presented the Industrial View for the Evolution of Copernicus at the Space Working Party Meeting organised by the Council of the EU on 6 October 2017.

The Working Party on Space handles work on the development of the European space policy and the related legislation but in particular it deals with: Copernicus, the space surveillance and tracking and the EU relations in space with ESA but also international.

One of the topics discussed was to start to prepare for a new regulation on Copernicus defining the next phase of work from 2012 to 2027.

EARSC presentation is available online

Read Geoff’s blog on the subject

The Association has grown significantly in the past few months.

EARSC has now 99 members from most European countries. For our members, the annual membership dues are a cost-effective way to stay informed, promote their company, engage with political and institutional representatives, have networking opportunities with other industry players which result in new businesses/partnerships and help to support the future of geo-information Industry.

Join us!
EARSC members list

The ESA Invitation To Tender for the development of the on-line Marketplace for the EO service sector “eoMALL” led by the EARSC closed on 29th of September.

The Objective of this ITT is to develop an on-line Marketplace for the EO Service sector, as defined by EARSC study (MAEOS). Known as eoMALL, the platform will enable the interactive promotion of downstream EO-based products services focused on the needs of a global user-base. Specific attention will be given to 2 or 3 market segments with customer stakeholder involvement to ensure a use-oriented solution.

Offers will be reviewed in order to select the 3 companies which will participate to the phase one of this tender aiming to set-up a prototype.

More information on EARSC website

Geospatial World Forum (GWF) is the global flagship event produced and organized by Geospatial Media and Communications. The conference will be held next 15-19 January 2018 in Hyderabad, India. EARSC is a Professional society partner of the event.

Geospatial World Forum 2018 will establish the connection between geospatial technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), a technology revolution, which will transform the way the world functions. The event will transport you to the era of 4IR through informative sessions and stimulating discussions. The platform will also host four crucial events – GeoBuiz Summit, Location World, Geo4SDGs, and AI & IOT Summit.

Geoff Sawyer, EARSC Secretary general, will participate to the conference. Updates will be published on EARSC website

GWF2018 Website

EARSC is participating in the GEO Week 2017

The GEO Week consists of side events starting Monday, 23 October, an exhibition opening on Tuesday, 24 October and running through Thursday, 26 October, the ExCom on Friday and the plenary itself from 25 to 26 October 2017 in Washington D.C. EARSC as GEO Participation Organisation has been invited to bring delegates to the Plenary, but will also be present at the Exhibition area and co-organise with NOOA a side event to foster discussion, develop and expose case studies to demonstrate the value to society coming from the use of EO data.

EARSC will bring as part of its delegation some European services providers (Airbus, Consultingwhere, e-geos, GIM, GMV, IABG, Sinergise, Terrasigna and Visioterra).

The Exhibition represents a key component of a successful GEO Week by providing tangible examples of the use of Earth observation to inform decision-making. EARSC promotes its members in the EC booth (#209) Panels 13/14.

More info on GEO-XIV

EARSC presence at a glance

Monday, 23rd Tuesday, 24th Wednesday, 25th Thursday, 26th Friday, 27th
EARSC: Exhibition Stand (E.C. booth (#209) - Panels 13/14) EARSC: Exhibition Stand (E.C. booth (#209) - Panels 13/14) EARSC: Exhibition Stand (E.C. booth (#209) - Panels 13/14)
[09h00-16h30] Geoff Sawyer: GEO Side Event” Demonstrating the Value of Earth Observations: Methods, Practical Applications, & Solutions”  [08h30-12h30] Mónica Miguel-Lago: SDGs “Earth Observations in Service of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” EARSC delegation: GEO-XIV Plenary Session EARSC delegation: GEO-XIV Plenary Session Massimo Comparini (EARSC Director) & Geoff Sawyer: 42nd Executive Committee meeting
Geoff Sawyer: 41st Executive Committee meeting [09h00-16h00] Geoff Sawyer: GEO Side Event Workshop “Demonstrating the Value of Earth Observations: Methods, Practical Applications, & Solutions”  EARSC delegation: GEO-XIV Plenary Session EARSC delegation: GEO-XIV Plenary Session Mónica Miguel-Lago: eo4sdg meeting
[13h00-15h00] Mónica Miguel-Lago: “From Data to Decisions to Impact—New Practices in Capacity Building for Earth Observations” EARSC delegation: GEO-XIV Plenary Session EARSC delegation: GEO-XIV Plenary Session
[13h45-15h30] EARSC: GEO-XIV – Session 3 “Earth Observations in the Commercial Sector” EARSC delegation: GEO-XIV Plenary Session EARSC delegation: GEO-XIV Plenary Session

Partners’ participation

  • EuroGEOSS launch event is taking place on Monday 23 October 2017 from 16:30 – 18:30 in Washington DC as part of GEO-XIV Plenary Side Events. EuroGEOSS is a new regional initiative in the GEO Work Programme 2017-2019.
  • GEO-CRADLE will participate in the GEO-XIV Plenary in several sessions. Read more here
  • The NextGEOSS project will organise demos and live broadcasts at 22:00 CEST/16:00 EDT

EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation and Japan Space Systems organised the EU-Japan Space Business Week- Link & Launch in Tokyo, Sapporo and Obihiro in Hokkaido from 5th to 8th September 2017. 4 EARSC members participated.

The event welcomed 5 European SMEs and 1 Italian industry cluster involved in Space Industries both upstream and downstream with a central focus on Earth Observation industries and applications. The European participants were – ACRI-ST, Astro- und Feinwerktechnik Adlershof GmbH, Deimos Imaging, Planetek and Sinergise.

This four days long mission was co-organised with EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation and Japan Space Systems (JSS) with the support of the National Space Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office of Japan (CAO), the Japanese Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI), as well as the Hokkaido Prefectural Government. The mission consisted of a mix of keynote speeches from stakeholders, presentation of Japanese case studies and success stories, pitch presentations from selected European participants, networking and best practice sharing events in Tokyo and Hokkaido, as well as field visits in Hokkaido to space-related companies
including Interstellar Technologies, Michishita Hironaga Nojo and Space-Agri.

Interstellar Technologies is a private, space venture-capital company developing a small launch system for sub-orbital flights and dedicated smallsat launch. Space-Agri is an SME offering Earth-Observation data service for agricultural applications, such as crop growth map and fertilizer map in Hokkaido’s Tokachi region. Lastly, Michishita Hironaga Nojo is a Farming company that has been utilising satellite remote-sensing data to support their farming practices and production.

Through this four days mission, the mission participants and Japanese industries found some interesting cooperation areas, and EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation and Japan Space Systems will continue to support them in fostering future partnerships.

More information