1. General Context and Objectives:
PCP WISE is a cross-border Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) funded under Horizon Europe. It addresses the growing need for climate-resilient water management tools amid increasingly severe events such as floods, droughts, wildfires, and infrastructure degradation.
The project supports the development and pre-operationalisation of innovative water intelligence services based on Earth Observation (EO), modelling, and digital technologies. These will monitor Soil–Water–Vegetation (SWV) conditions and deliver actionable insights for decision-makers in urban and rural contexts. Through a three-phase PCP process (design, prototyping, and field validation), solutions are expected to reach TRL 7–8 and meet the shared needs of European public buyers.
2. Motivation and Strategic Relevance:
Climate change is altering Europe’s hydrological patterns, creating complex challenges for public authorities. Existing monitoring systems often lack integration, local detail, or usability. PCP-WISE addresses these gaps by co-developing user-centric services for daily management, early warning, and climate-informed planning. The project builds on Horizon 2020 PROTECT and aligns with key EU strategies including the Green Deal, the EU Adaptation Strategy, the European Data Strategy, and the uptake of Copernicus and Galileo. It contributes to fit-for-purpose Environmental Observation Systems and strengthens interoperability in regional and cross-border water governance.
3. Project Pathway to Impact:
PCP WISE defines a clear pathway to impact through a phased, competitive R&D process. Solutions validated in five European test sites aim to deliver:
- A generic SWV monitoring service;
- Sector-specific risk indicators;
- Interoperable data tools;
- Operational support for authorities and civil protection.
Each integrates EO data, in-situ measurements, and modelling, tailored to local contexts. Usability is ensured through co-design with buyers, while scalability relies on a modular, open architecture.
4. Scale and significance of Expected Impacts:
PCP-WISE impacts span multiple dimensions:
- Scientific: advancing EO-based environmental intelligence;
- Policy: enabling data-driven governance and EU interoperability;
- Operational: strengthening anticipation and crisis response;
- Societal: supporting resilience of cities, communities, and ecosystems;
- Market: fostering SME participation and EO uptake.
Solutions are designed for replication beyond test sites, enabling wider EU deployment and long-term cost-effective climate adaptation.
5. Role of Social Sciences and Humanities:
Social Sciences and Humanities ensure innovations meet real user needs and reflect governance contexts through:
- Stakeholder engagement and behavioural analysis;
- Legal and ethical oversight (data use and transparency);
- Governance design for cross-sector collaboration;
- Capacity building and communication strategies.
This ensures technically robust, trusted, and institutionally embedded services.
