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Contenuto archiviato il 2023-03-27

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Specific research programmes (EC) to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre - Centre for Earth Observation -, 1995-1998

 
The JRC is participating with other services of the Commission, the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and within national organizations to establish a coordinated, decentralized Earth observation network called the European Earth Observation System (EEOS). Since 1992, the JRC has been developing the CEO, a decentralized European data management and information system, as the EC contribution to the EEOS.

In this respect, the CEO consists of a programme of work contributing to the successful operational establishment of the EEOS. Within the EEOS, the CEO will foster the development of applications of Earth observation data that fulfil the specified information requirements of scientific, operational and commercial users. This will ensure that relevant higher level products and information are produced and made available.

Work on the CEO began under the Third Framework Programme with the "Feasibility phase" ending in July 1993. This was followed by the "Pathfinder phase", the goal of which is to produce a project plan for the "Design and Implementation phase" which contains sufficient information and understanding of the system to successfully bring it into operation. The "Pathfinder phase" is expected to be completed by the end of 1995.

The main focus of research activities during the second phase of the CEO specific programme will thus be the completion of the "Pathfinder phase" and the start-up and completion of the "Design and Implementation phase". Work on this is expected to run until the end of 1998, by which time a version of the CEO will be in place.
To serve as the European focal point for earth observation data and to contribute to the establishment, in collaboration with other bodies and the Member states, of The European Earth Observation System (EEOS).
No details available.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) contributes to the activities of the Centre for Earth Observation through the implementation of institutional research activities. These comprise research, technological development and demonstration actions for which the JRC has special, if not unique, expertise and installations in the Community.

The Commission, assisted by the Board of Governors of the JRC, is responsible for the implementation of the specific CEO programme, to which end, it makes use of the services of the JRC. The Institute for Systems Engineering and Informatics (ISEI) at Ispra has the responsibility for overall coordination and management of activities in support of the CEO. The Institute for Remote Sensing Applications (IRSA), also at Ispra, provides support in the field of validation/standards, particularly in applications where it has competence, such as vegetation, ocean and agricultural monitoring.

The programme comprises institutional research activities implemented through shared-cost projects, concerted actions and direct research activities. Provision is made for a number of accompanying measures, including:

- The organization of visits to JRC institutes of grant holders, visiting scientists and seconded experts;
- Organization of the secondment of JRC staff to national laboratories, industrial laboratories and universities;
- Systematic exchange of information, through the organization of scientific seminars, workshops, colloquia, scientific publications, etc.;
- Specialized training with an emphasis on multidisciplinarity;
- The independent scientific and strategic evaluation of the performance of the projects and programmes.

The total funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the JRC's specific programmes in the field of the Environment is ECU 320 million, of which ECU 294 is reserved for JRC direct actions (including a sum equivalent to approximately 6% which may be allocated to exploratory research) and ECU 26 million for competitive support activities.

Financial support for the CEO programme will be made available from the budget set aside for JRC direct actions under the Fourth Framework Programme and through funds for shared cost actions from DG XII's Space Unit. Appropriate measures will be put in place to ensure that the CEO programme is managed in such a way as to ensure compatibility between these two funding sources.

In the implementation of the institutional research activities, the JRC is required to participate in, or organize networks of, public and private laboratories in the Member States or European research consortia. Particular attention must also be paid to cooperation with industry, especially with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

On the basis of the criterion of mutual benefit, the JRC may, at the request of the Commission, execute projects with legal entities established in third countries, provided this is deemed to make an effective contribution to the implementation of JRC activities. Legal entities from third countries may not, however, benefit from Community financing under this programme. Particular attention is paid to cooperation with research laboratories and institutes in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and in the independent states of the former Soviet Union.

The Commission will continuously and systematically monitor progress in the implementation of actions under the programme, paying particular attention to assessing whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate.

The Commission is required to submit an annual report, before 15 April each year, on the implem technological development and demonstration to be implemented by the JRC under the Fourth Framework Programme. In addition, the Commission is required to organize an external assessment conducted by independent experts of the specific activities covered by the JRC programme and their management during the five years preceding this assessment. The results of this assessment, together with the annual reports, will be communicated to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee.