Earth Observations for the Social Benefit of the Balkans

Post-GEO Workshop

Balkan countries do not have a coherent and continuous approach towards the challenge of implementing integrated Earth Observation (EO) applications in environmental monitoring and management. The defect in the implementation of EO applications and their use in the environmental decision making are manifested through the limited synergies among national and regional institutions, ineffective technological means and discontinuous record of participation to international organizations and committees. On the other hand, the increasing importance of a common approach towards effective environmental monitoring practices, for the benefit of the societal web of the broader Balkan region, calls for immediate action, setting as a starting point the built up of regional institutional capacity and spillage of technology transfer.

Brief description of Workshop Aims:

• Inform audience on EO activities with focus on European institutions (aims, actions, near-term future plans).
• Exchange views on how the above relate to EO activities in Southeastern Europe.
• Inform speakers and leading EO institutions on needs regarding EO in Southeastern Europe.
• Build-up acquaintances, networks and co-operations, with focus on Capacity Building and more extensive use of EO in Southeastern Europe, incl. possible contributions of related EU projects in European activities.

Language of the workshop is English.

Prof. Petros Patias (AUTh), OBSERVE Project Coordinator

Prof. Vladimir Crnojevic (UNS), BalkanGeoNet Project Coordinator

Prof. Stefano Nativi, EGIDA

Jane Shiel, EU Commission