Press release– COMUNIDAD project launched, bringing Europe and Latin America closer!
Madrid, March 21st and 22nd, 2024 – A new project, COMUNIDAD, has been initiated with the support of Horizon Europe (grant agreement: 101131859) aimed at forming a stakeholder community dedicated to leveraging Copernicus data. The project focuses on the collaborative development of algorithms, services, and products tailored to local user needs, thereby enhancing the quality of Copernicus global products. The initiative will also explore the combined use of EGNSS (European Global Navigation Satellite Systems) and the Copernicus-related Platform in Chile and Colombia, with the potential for knowledge transfer to other relevant CELAC countries.
The COMUNIDAD project is set to establish a comprehensive framework for utilizing Copernicus data in agriculture, forestry, and rural development. This framework will emphasize the usage, development, testing, and evaluation of both existing (CELAC customized) and new Copernicus downstream services, explicitly focusing on forestry in Chile and rural development in Colombia.
"We anticipate that the framework created by COMUNIDAD will drive market development in this sector within CELAC countries. By involving local end-users, support organizations, and SMEs, we aim to foster innovation and collaboration that will contribute to sustainable socio-economic development," said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík, leader of work packages number five (WP5) and six (WP6) from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague.
"In order to use the two years of the COMUNIDAD project to maximize its impact and create a solution that meets the needs of users and other stakeholders in the pilot localities and other CELAC countries, we will build on LESPROJEKT's and BOSC’s experience and the results of collaboration with some other partners in earlier EU-funded projects, notably DataBio, SIEUSOIL and SmartAgriHubs." Stated Karel Charvát jr, the COMUNIDAD Project Coordinator.
To operationalize the COMUNIDAD Platform, fundamental pilot applications will be developed in Chile and Colombia, reaching Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL4) and serving as best practice examples for further development. These applications will promote the uptake of satellite navigation, positioning, and timing, enabling Chile and Colombia to play a leading role in promoting Copernicus in CELAC countries.
The COMUNIDAD Project will play a crucial role in facilitating access to Copernicus data and information for interested partners in Chile and Colombia. It aims to establish an "EU-CELAC Knowledge Area" by fostering research and innovation cooperation, promoting the use of new technologies, and facilitating technology transfer to support sustainable socio-economic development.
The project consortium includes:
- LESPRO – Lesprojekt sluzby sro
- BOSC – Baltic Open Solutions Center SIA
- CZU – Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
- UAYSEN – Universidad de Aysen
- SOCIALINNOLABS – Fundacion Socialinnolabs
- UAM – Universidad Autonoma de Manizales
- FNC – Federacion Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia
- FIA – Fundacion para la Innovacion Agraria
For further information, please contact:
Project Coordinator:
Karel Charvát
Email: charvat_junior@lesprojekt.cz
Project Communication and Dissemination Team:
Email: comms4comunidad@gmail.com