With the launch of the Geomatics on the Move 2020 competition, the European GNSS Agency (GSA), in collaboration with the Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (CLGE), continues its drive to promote the use of the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) – EGNOS and Galileo, and Earth observation – Copernicus – as engines of innovative growth for the European economy. A wide participation from all over the European Union is expected.
Building and expanding on the CLGE Student Contest, which has been held for the past eight years, the new Geomatics on the Move Prize Contest also targets applications that integrate the use of additional technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, as well as supplementary remote sensing data sources like drones. Solutions animated through mobile phone applications or other easy-to-use platforms are also welcome.
Engines of innovation
“Our Council is happy and proud to cooperate with the GSA on European matters. When we’ve launched this contest many years ago now, we had in mind to reach out progressively to the whole Geomatics community. 2020 represents a transition to a totally new concept enabled by an even enhanced cooperation with the GSA. This new step goes certainly in the good direction.” says Maurice Barbieri, CLGE President.
With the competition, the GSA aims to increase the use of Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus in the field of geomatics and to raise awareness of the benefits these EU space programs provide toward fostering innovative geomatics applications and as engines of innovative growth in Europe.
“This is the ninth year of partnership between the Council of European Geodetic Surveyors and the GSA, over the years we have seen some exciting and innovative solutions emerge that leverage the EU Space Program to deliver practical solutions for the mapping and surveying community,” said GSA Acting Executive Director Pascal Claudel. “This year, as we recover from this global setback, I look forward to seeing even more novel ideas – from all over the European Union – able to respond to current and future challenges.” he said.
A total of ten prizes worth EUR 30,000 will be awarded to applications received in two categories: Traditional Geomatics, and Integrated Geomatics. For more information on the competition deadline, terms and conditions and eligibility criteria, click here.
Focus on key EC priorities
Geomatics on the Move 2020 joins the MyGalileoDrone competition launched in July, with the aim of providing resources and expertise to boost innovation and growth towards achieving the European Commission’s priorities for 2019-2024. In both competitions, participants are encouraged to target applications and services that support the EC’s priorities, in particular the European Green Deal and an Economy that Works for People, with trailblazing ideas for applications that make the European economy more sustainable and ensure all Europeans benefit from the EU’s investment in space.
Through these competitions, the Agency is providing a portfolio of opportunities and resources to serve the needs of the broader EU Space applications community, from students and young professionals, to entrepreneurs and small and mid-sized businesses (SMEs), ensuring that innovators continue to leverage space to deliver cutting-edge solutions that to local and global challenges.
