ESA Global Development Assistance (GDA)

??At ESA’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme, our mission is clear: to fully capitalise on the power of satellite Earth Observation (EO) to accelerate impact in international development assistance operations. To make this a reality, collaboration is key. That’s why we brought together stakeholders at the GDA Industry Engagement Co-Location Day, fostering discussions on how to strengthen EO’s role in global development. We’ve just published a series of four blogs, summarising insights from our breakout discussions, each aligned with themes from the GDA mid-term evaluation: ?? Key topics explored: ?? Strengthening collaboration with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and client countries ?? Defining success in impact assessment ?? What does a thriving EO sector look like? ?? Reconciling public goods with business goals ?? Explore the full blog series here: https://lnkd.in/eegzZNjm #EarthObservation #AcceleratingImpact EO industry consortia leads: Brockmann Consult GmbH, Caribou Space, e-GEOS, EOMAP , Evenflow, GAF AG, GeoVille Information Systems and Data Processing GmbH, GMV, IABG, Imperative Space, Indra, MEEO S.r.l, Planetek Italia Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Space Agency - ESA, Inter-American Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), The World Bank Christoph Aubrecht, Yves Barthélemy, Fabio Cian, Alex Chunet, Giulia Costella, Hendrik Hamacher, Carlotta M., Nicki McGoh, David Taverner, Anika Ruess

????? EO satellite technology took center stage at the IDEAS 2025 conference in Rome for smarter climate action! At the #IDEAS2025, held at the international headquarters of?the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO of the United Nations in Rome, ESA GDA was proud to join key global stakeholders showcasing how satellite Earth Observation (EO) -especially with European Space Agency - ESA’s upcoming launches of BIOMASS and flex in 2025- is a game-changer for monitoring and evaluating climate adaptation efforts in development operations. During a dedicated panel session alongside delegates from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), ESA experts Alex Chunet and Anika Ruess demonstrated how satellites provide vital data - empowering global climate funds as well as their implementing entities to assess environmental and socio-economic impacts with greater accuracy and efficiency. Looking ahead, we are excited to launch the ESA GDA Climate Adaptation and Finance Activity in April 2025, increasing collaborative initiatives with the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility, the Adaptation Fund, and the Climate Investment Funds, and deepening EO development support to our key partnering IFIs The World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Inter-American Development Bank, and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). EO technology is an indispensable tool for scaling up effective climate action? and safeguarding vulnerable communities worldwide! ?? https://lnkd.in/dwdPeWsN Anupam Anand, Christoph Aubrecht, Yves Barthélemy, Alex Chunet, Fabio Cian, Fabrizio F., Benjamin Koetz, Anika Ruess, Toshiyuki Yokota

What if satellite data could help predict disease outbreaks, map health risks, and strengthen medical infrastructure? ???? With the launch of ESA’s GDA Public Health thematic activity, that future is closer than ever. From tracking climate-related health threats to improving access to healthcare, EO is already supporting IFIs like The World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) in tackling global health challenges. Now, European Space Agency - ESA’s GDA is taking it further - turning EO into a must-have tool for health resilience. ?? Smarter decisions.? ?? Healthier communities.? ?? Stronger impact. ?? Learn more about how EO is shaping the future of public health resilience: https://lnkd.in/e9kpQXmU #AcceleratingImpact Christoph Aubrecht, Yves Barthélemy, Alex Chunet, Fabio Cian, Eirini Politi, Anika Ruess, Claudia Vitolo Asian Development Bank (ADB), Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Brockmann Consult GmbH, Diginove SAS, European Space Agency - ESA, GMV, Inter-American Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), mundialis GmbH & Co. KG, The World Bank

What do space technology and rural electrification have in common? More than you think! ?? In Madagascar 18 million people lack access to electricity. Without reliable energy, agricultural productivity stalls, economic opportunities shrink, and communities miss out on the benefits of modern development. But bringing power to remote areas isn’t as simple as extending the grid. ?? https://lnkd.in/eKAxFkSy ?? ESA’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme is teaming up with the World Bank to use satellite data for smarter energy planning. High-resolution Sentinel imagery is now helping to: ? Map cropland & irrigation ? Assess settlement profiles ? Integrate EO into IFI decision-making ?? Why does this matter? Traditional methods rely on outdated surveys and broad estimates. But satellite-derived data is faster, more accurate, and scalable - a game-changer for sustainable electrification strategies. ?? With 685 million people worldwide still lacking electricity, scaling up satellite-driven electrification planning could fast-track progress toward SDG-7: affordable and clean energy for all. #AcceleratingImpact European Space Agency - ESA, GMV, IABG, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Remote Sensing Solutions GmbH, TTA - Trama TecnoAmbiental, VIDA, The World Bank Christoph Aubrecht, Zoltan Bartalis, Yves Barthélemy, Filipe Brand?o, Alex Chunet, Malin Sophie Fischer, Jonas Franke, Kristin Fleischer, Elke Kraetzschmar, Anika Ruess

????? How can cities grow sustainably while tackling climate risks? Amman is setting a benchmark. The capital of Jordan is harnessing ESA’s GDA Urban Sustainability Activity and The World Bank’s support to integrate Earth Observation (EO) technology into urban planning. Amman is leveraging EO-based geospatial tools to monitor city-wide assets and model different policy scenarios through Agent-Based Modelling (ABM). This data-driven approach helps city planners: ? Track land use changes, green space, and urban sprawl ? Improve transport planning, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors ? Mitigate urban heat islands and strengthen climate adaptation ? Guide investment decisions for long-term sustainability ?? The GDA Urban Sustainability consortium (TRE ALTAMIRA, Caribou Space, GAF AG, Gisat, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, German Aerospace Center (DLR)) is providing geospatial insights to advance on all these fronts and develop replicable models for cities worldwide. ?? Discover how EO is a game-changer for smart urban development: https://lnkd.in/dYUNFVbe AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Caribou Space, German Aerospace Center (DLR), European Space Agency - ESA, GAF AG, Gisat, TRE ALTAMIRA, The World Bank Christoph Aubrecht, Zoltan Bartalis, Yves Barthélemy, Fabio Cian, Giulia Costella, Fabian Enssle, Ernst Gebetsroither, Jon Kher K., Jan Kolomazník, Mattia Marconcini, Hogeun Park, Anika Ruess, Lucie Stara, Klaus Steinnocher, David Taverner.

In Mexico’s irrigation districts, water is a precious shared resource. Farmers need it to grow food. Cities need it to keep up with rapid expansion. So, how do you strike a balance? ?? The World Bank and Mexico’s Conagua (Comisión Nacional del Agua) are tackling this challenge - now with the help of Earth Observation (EO). Under ESA’s GDA programme, Czech-based company Gisat is providing satellite-based insights to track land use, monitor droughts, and optimise irrigation strategies. EO data is helping CONAGUA make informed decisions on water allocation while supporting The World Bank’s efforts to integrate innovative solutions into large-scale development projects. This isn’t just a local fix—it can be a game-changer for International Financial Institutions (IFIs) like the World Bank, proving how EO can transform global resource management. ?? Can EO help solve water conflicts worldwide? Read more on how Mexico is leading the way: https://lnkd.in/eqaebMMc Asian Development Bank (ADB), Brockmann Consult GmbH, EOMAP , European Space Agency - ESA, Gisat, GMV, Gruner, Inter-American Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), The World Bank Christoph Aubrecht, Tomas Bartalos, Yves Barthélemy, Fabio Cian, Alex Chunet, Seifeddine Jomaa, Jan Mi?urec, Marc Paganini, Anika Ruess, Jorrit Scholze, Zelalem Tesfaye Mekonnen

?? Can Earth Observation (EO) help protect our oceans and boost the Blue Economy? ESA’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) Marine Environment & Blue Economy Thematic Activity has successfully concluded - marking a transformative step in using Earth Observation (EO) to support sustainable marine governance. From fisheries management in Cambodia to coastal resilience in West Africa, this initiative has helped International Financial Institutions (IFIs) like The World Bank & Asian Development Bank (ADB) integrate EO into decision-making. The result? Better data, smarter policies, and stronger coastal economies. ?? Key impact: ? EO-driven solutions for marine conservation & pollution monitoring ? Actionable insights for policymakers & local stakeholders ? Global reach - Africa, Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean ?? Discover how space technology is shaping the future of marine sustainability. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3xuJFjg AIR Centre - Atlantic International Research Centre, Asian Development Bank (ADB), EOMAP , European Space Agency - ESA, GeoVille Information Systems and Data Processing GmbH, Inter-American Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Planetek Italia, TERRASIGNA, Università degli Studi di Palermo, The World Bank AbdelNasser Gamal, Antonello Aiello, Christoph Aubrecht, Yves Barthélemy, Fabio Cian, Tania G D Casal, Giulio Ceriola, Alex Chunet, Anika Ruess

?? Big news for Earth Observation (EO) & International Development! ESA’s GDA programme is making satellite data easier, smarter, and more impactful. Stay tuned for the release of the ESA GDA Analytics & Processing Platform (APP) - turning EO insights into action has never been simpler. ??? What’s inside? ? AI-powered Super Resolution ? Road & Built-up Area Detection ? Climate & Water Monitoring ? Vessel Detection … and more! ?What’s next? ?? Official launch in February 2025! ?? Hands-on demos with IFIs & GDA stakeholders ?? A deep dive at the ESA Living Planet Symposium (Vienna, June 2025) ?? The future of EO-powered development is here – scalable, accessible, and ready to make an impact. Get ready to explore! Asian Development Bank (ADB), EarthPulse, European Space Agency - ESA, GeoVille Information Systems and Data Processing GmbH, GMV, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), MEEO S.r.l, The World Bank Christoph Aubrecht, Yves Barthélemy, Alessia Cattozzo, Fabio Cian, Alex Chunet, Patrick Griffiths, Hanna Koloszyc, Simone Mantovani, Anika Ruess

?? ESA’s GDA Forest Management activity is facilitating the integration of EO-based solutions into supported forestry initiatives of International Financial Institutions (IFIs), ensuring that data-driven insights - such as real-time canopy disturbance monitoring and biomass mapping - are effectively applied to decision-making. By focusing on: ? Capacity building to foster local expertise ? Stakeholder engagement to ensure relevance and trust ? Transparent methodologies for easy replication ???? EO offers transformative solutions for forest management - especially when IFIs embrace its potential. The success of its predecessor EO4SD-FM demonstrated that targeted training, collaboration, and clear methodologies drive real adoption in forestry operations. Now, under ESA’s GDA Forest Management, involvement of IFIs and local experts can scale these innovations, making EO a powerful tool in the fight against deforestation and climate change. #AcceleratingImpact ?? https://lnkd.in/e_XgbcXC Asian Development Bank (ADB), Caribou Space, European Space Agency - ESA, GAF AG, GisBox, Inter-American Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), IGN FI, ONF (Office National des Forêts), unique land use GmbH, The World Bank Christoph Aubrecht, Yves Barthélemy, Alex Chunet, Fabio Cian, Giulia Costella, Fabian Enssle, Frank Martin Seifert, Anika Ruess

?? How can space technology drive energy innovation in Asia-Pacific? Join European Space Agency - ESA’s GDA and Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 13 February for an insightful webinar on “Space Technology for Energy and Cross-Sector Innovation.” ESA’s Zoltan Bartalis, GDA Urban, Energy, and FFF Technical Officer, will present how Earth Observation (EO) supports clean energy transitions.? Experts will also discuss how space-based technology could contribute to sustainable energy solutions in the future. ?? Date: 13 February 2025 ? Time: 3:00–4:00 p.m. Manila / 8:00-9:00 a.m. CET. ?? Register & more info: https://lnkd.in/eU3en_VG Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/eixf6TJV Sam Adlen, Christoph Aubrecht, Zoltan Bartalis, Yves Barthélemy, Alex Chunet, Fabio Cian, Tahani Iqbal, Anika Ruess, Cindy Cisneros-Tiangco