This conference, organised by Eurisy and hosted by the Committee of the Regions, will present the mid-term findings of Eurisy’s Programme for European Local and Regional Authorities (LRA) in order to stimulate the political debate on how to increase the benefits LRAs obtain from satellite information and services (SIS).
As numerous best-practice examples prove, SIS are already providing useful and innovative solutions for LRAs to cope with societal, economic and environmental challenges. Moreover, LRAs seem to be in the best position to gain from SIS because of their increasing role in the European multilevel governance structure and their proximity to the issues specific to their territory. However, we observe that many LRAs do not yet profit from the benefits of SIS.
The upcoming Brussels conference will therefore present and discuss a position paper, presenting recommendations on how to facilitate the access of LRAs to the benefits of satellite information and services.
The results and recommendations presented in Brussels have been developed by European regions within the framework of Eurisy’s Programme for Local and Regional Authorities, during which they gave feedback on their experience in the use of SIS and helped elaborate practical recommendations. A wide-consultation process with stakeholders also contributed to their definition.
Eurisy’s LRA programme enables the identification of best practices by LRAs in using SIS, but also the difficulties induced by their very innovative nature implying a certain amount of risk in the organisation of their operations. Although the added value is very high, the implementation of satellite information and services requires the use, set-up and refinement of accompanying financial mechanisms, which will be the main subject of this conference.
During the half-day meeting, European decision-makers, policy experts and space programme administrators, will engage in a dialogue with representatives from LRA to discuss the findings and recommendations of the position paper in particular and the possibilities for European regions and cities to be further supported in their appropriation of satellite information and services in general.
The programme of the conference will include examples of best practices in the regions and will close with a round table discussion, followed by a press conference.
Participation is on invitation only.