Workshop Objectives and Topics

Objectives of the GMES Operational Capacity Workshop in Sofia:

• Raising awareness on GMES and the current role of EU-12
• Giving opportunities for an increased involvement of the EU -12 in research activities and future operational exploitation of GMES

Main topics to be addressed:

The evolution of GMES - research and operational aspects:

• Deeper integration of EU-12 capacity based on top-down and bottom–up approach in the Operational program
• Regional networking in service provision, data collection and availability, based on the user needs, common reference databases; etc.
• Forecasting and prevention in the field of environment protection & citizens security; emergencies response; risk and security management

The GMES program governance for infrastructure observation and services provision:

• Greater impact on user oriented services
• Integration between core and downstream, space and in-situ service components
• Flexible approach towards different GMES areas of interest - centralized (for environment) and decentralized (for risk and security)

Progresses in GMES services and involvement of EU-12:

• Increasing the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the SMEs in GMES – economical and social impact
• Integration between GMES Programme and INSPIRE Directive