GeoCodis Ltd. is a high-tech Slovenian company specialising in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Earth Observation (EO), and Geo-information Systems (GIS). The company, established in 2014, has headquarters in Slovenia with branch offices in Canary Islands, Spain, and Uganda. The team of EO-specialists and software developers has developed tailored AI models that enable efficient analysis of large datasets, providing clients with a competitive edge. In the field of Earth Observation, GeoCodis has played a key role in numerous projects that transform satellite data into applicable solutions. Whether addressing water resource monitoring, urban development, or land use management the company leverages raw geospatial data to support critical decision-making processes across various domains. GeoCodis already collaborated with major organisations such as the European Space Agency (ESA), the EU the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and others commercial clients.

The challenge

Droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, with widespread impacts on agriculture, water supply and ecosystem health. Yet, governments and agencies struggle to track the impact and effectiveness of drought management policies in real time. Without accurate and timely insights, decisions often remain reactive rather than proactive. In many places, persistent dry spells and soil-water deficits undermine both agriculture and water security: over the past few decades, Slovenia has experienced at least seven major agricultural droughts, many of which caused hundreds of millions of euros in damage.

The satellite solution

To address this challenge, GeoCodis, through the DriDanube consortium and in line with the Clim4Cast project, developed the DroughtWatch portal. It provides users with spatial and temporal view of several drought-related datasets and indices, including vegetation and drought indices, precipitation and temperature datasets and integrates estimated drought impacts, using satellite data and analytical tools.

The platform brings together information from several sources developed within Clim4Cast project and EUMETSAT products. Indices such as heat index, daily evapotranspiration, soil drought intensity, soil moisture deficit, thermal climate index and others shows both current conditions and long-term trends in an easy-to-use interface. Users can explore how drought is developing, compare today’s situation with historic data and quickly see where risks are growing, helping them make faster and more informed decisions. The portal is mostly used to assess droughts, heat waves and potential forest fire conditions and supports proactive planning across sectors.

The results

Using DroughtWatch, government agencies and civil protection organisations benefit from earlier detection of emerging drought hotspots, better coordination, and more strategic planning. The tool has improved situational awareness, reduced reliance on fragmented data, and enabled more efficient resource allocation. As a result, Slovenian Environmental Agency (ARSO) is using the portal mainly to monitor droughts and report on possible developing droughts in SE Europe region due to its role as host of Drought management centre for SE Europe. The portal allows visual and numerical comparison of various drought-related indices as well as generation of timeline animations. It currently profits from ARSO and other regional institutions’ involvement in recent projects such as Clim4Cast and Eumetsat’s LSA SAF. DroughtWatch is designed in the way that inclusion of new sets of data layers is relatively straight forward and expected as regional cooperation evolves and requires new information.

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WASDI is a joint venture of FadeOut Software and LIST based in Luxembourg that provides a cloud-based platform for accessing, processing, and analysing Earth observation data. Their mission is to democratise the use of satellite information by enabling users — from experts to non-specialists — to easily transform raw data into actionable insights. By integrating advanced cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and geospatial technologies, WASDI supports applications related to environmental monitoring, disaster management, land and water resource assessment, and sustainable development. Their platform offers a collaborative environment where users can process data, develop and share applications, and deliver services without needing complex infrastructure.  

Luxembourg Red Cross 

The Luxembourg Red Cross is a humanitarian organisation dedicated to protecting and supporting people affected by crises, both in Luxembourg and internationally. Through its Humanitarian Aid unit, it provides rapid emergency assistance in situations of conflict, natural disasters, and population displacement, delivering essential services such as shelter, water and sanitation, medical support, and protection. Beyond immediate relief, the organisation strengthens community resilience through long-term recovery and development programmes. 

The challenge

The growing frequency and severity of disasters demands fast and informed responses. Yet, many crisis-affected areas remain hard to access and difficult to monitor. Limited observation in remote regions and the complexity of assessing natural hazards can delay critical decisions and intervention when time matters most. Humanitarian teams in the fields — often without satellite-data expertise — need simple, effective and friendly tools that turn data into clear, actionable information. 

At the same time, recurrent emergencies, lack of budget and challenging logistics continue to strain operational capacity. These realities have pushed the International Department of the Luxembourg Red Cross to invest in innovation, research and strategic partnerships.  

The satellite solution

To address this challenge, the Luxembourg Red Cross, WASDI and LIST developed a platform through the WFP Humanitarian Innovation Accelerator (HIA) programme: RISE (Remote Imaging Support for Emergencies). This user-friendly tool was designed for non-experts and directly meets field needs focusing on flood and damage assessment, giving access to clear, usable information and supporting rapid decision-making. 

By selecting an area on the map, users receive the latest available EO data, automatically processed into clear, ready-to-use hazard maps. It also leverages satellite image archives from multiple sources, enabling robust risk evaluation and comparison over time, as well as revisiting old hazards. Thanks to EO satellites, RISE displays near-real-time intelligence on floods, droughts and other risks, enabling faster and better informed decisions. 

Fully automated and accessible worldwide, RISE is a complementary tool that allows humanitarian teams to assess events, understand impacts and support more people.  

The results

Red Cross Madagascar have conducted a validation exercise that demonstrated that using RISE led to an 84.6% reduction in response time and an 89.97% decrease in operational costs compared to standard methods. For the Luxembourg Red Cross, the platform reduced reliance on in-person data collection, enabled faster coordination, saved budget, decrease the number of people put at risk in the exercise, and proved intuitive and adaptable to real-world field conditions. RISE serves as a complement to field expertise, helping responders carry out their work more effectively.  

Key to this impact is clear communication between users and service providers and an intuitive interface that makes complex geospatial data immediately usable for operational decision-making. 

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+ATLANTIC is a Collaborative Laboratory that transforms scientific knowledge into practical solutions for ocean, coastal, climate, and environmental challenges. By combining Earth observation, data science, AI, and numerical modelling, it delivers user-oriented products that support governance, innovation, and public awareness, all with the mission to drive a sustainable transition across the Atlantic region. 

The challenge

Mediterranean cities face multiple climate risks, from heatwaves to sea level rise and storms, all amplified by coastal urbanisation, tourism pressure, ageing populations, and migration trends. These vulnerabilities affect health (heat-related mortality and pollution-linked illness), energy (changing demand and reduced hydropower during droughts), and infrastructure (damage from unpredictable floods and storms driven by growing climate variability). 

The satellite solution

Earth Observation provides essential data to anticipate and manage climate-related risks in Mediterranean cities, particularly heat extremes and sea level rise. By analysing satellite-derived information on land use, vegetation, and built-up areas, EO helps detect and quantify the Urban Heat Island effect, where heat accumulates in densely built environments. Long-term geospatial datasets feed into data-driven models that improve local weather forecasts and enable the creation of early warning and adaptation tools. These EO-based systems are strengthened by in-situ measurements and computing power, with many initiatives supported through European public funding. 

The results

The integration of EO data into local planning enhances cities’ awareness and preparedness for climate-induced extremes. Beyond heatwaves, the approach supports a broader understanding of interconnected hazards and their impacts on health, infrastructure, and energy. Through +ATLANTIC’s multi-hazard platform AtlanticSENSE, decision-makers and citizens can now benchmark local risk profiles, access transparent and traceable information, and strengthen their literacy on environmental and climate risks, fostering more resilient and informed urban communities. 

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The Maltese Planning Authority is the national government agency responsible for land use and spatial planning in Malta. It also serves as the country’s national mapping authority, providing essential cartographic data to support the development permit system and ensure that urban development aligns with planning regulations.

The challenge

For over a decade, the Planning Authority relied on aerial photography to produce maps of the Maltese Islands. However, with rapid and constant urban development — new constructions, extensions, and land-use changes — there was an increasing need to update maps more frequently and monitor change across the entire country.
Aerial imagery, while detailed, posed several obstacles: it required special flight permits, favourable weather conditions, and costly equipment. Drone surveys offered flexibility but covered only urban areas, making them impractical for nationwide mapping. The Planning Authority therefore sought a simpler, faster, and more scalable solution that could provide regular, high-resolution imagery over Malta as a whole.

The satellite solution

To meet these needs, the Planning Authority adopted high-resolution commercial satellite imagery: satellite data provides synoptic coverage — capturing the entire island in a single snapshot — and can be acquired regularly (one to two times per week), with access to a rich archive of past images. This allows them to select cloud-free images for specific time periods and conduct change detection analyses, supporting urban planning policies such as modification of development zones. Although commercial imagery involves a cost, it remains more affordable than aerial photography and offers greater temporal flexibility. Transitioning to satellite-based mapping required a mindset shift and specialised training for the Planning Authority’s geomatics team, enabling staff to interpret and integrate satellite data effectively into existing workflows.

The results

The use of satellite imagery has significantly improved the efficiency and accuracy of urban monitoring in Malta. The Planning Authority now produces value-added datasets, including national land-use maps, derived from satellite analyses. The Authority is also exploring the use of AI-based tools for automatic building detection, further enhancing its capacity to track and analyse urban change. By embracing satellite technology, they have strengthened their ability to plan sustainably, leveraging both current and archived imagery to maintain an up-to-date view of the country’s evolving landscape — a model that could inspire other national mapping agencies across Europe.

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The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) is Denmark’s national center for weather, climate, and sea ice monitoring, with strong expertise in polar forecasting. The Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Centre (NERSC) is a Norwegian research institute specializing in Arctic and oceanographic studies, particularly the use of remote sensing and modeling for environmental monitoring.

The challenge

Large icebergs off the coast of Greenland represent both an environmental hazard and a navigational challenge. In July–August 2024, a 4 × 2 km tabular iceberg drifted southeast of Greenland before breaking into smaller fragments, many too small to be seen from a ship’s deck. Over a six-week period, the iceberg lingered near tourist shipping routes, becoming a risk hotspot for cruise vessels operating in the area. Real-time tracking and accurate forecasting of its movement and disintegration were critical for ensuring maritime safety and operational planning.

The satellite solution

The DMI, supported by the NERSC, implemented a remote sensing-based monitoring system. The iceberg was continuously tracked using high-resolution satellite data. The OpenBerg drift model simulated iceberg trajectory by integrating:

• Ocean current data from TOPAZ5 (Copernicus Marine Service)
• Wind forcing from ERA5 (Copernicus Climate Change Service)

The integrated output of observational tracking and numerical modelling was visualised via the NARVAL portal, enabling both real-time monitoring and forecast-based risk assessments.

The results

• Enhanced Maritime Safety: real-time tracking and forecasting reduced collision risk for vessels operating near the drifting iceberg.
• Improved Iceberg Forecasting: combining Copernicus Marine and Climate data allowed more accurate drift simulations and structural evolution predictions.
• Support for Cruise and Tourism Industry: monitoring and information sharing enabled better planning and risk mitigation for cruise operations in iceberg-prone zones.
• Operational Collaboration: real-time data exchange between DMI and NERSC ensured informed decision-making and strengthened remote sensing capabilities for future events.

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Drift+Noise GmbH was incorporated in 2014 as a spin-off company of the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) and has established itself as a reliable and valued distributor of sea ice information data.

The challenge

Ships constantly have to navigate natural elements like weather, waves, and currents. In polar waters, the sea ice in constant state of flux adds another layer of complexity which must not be neglected, as it can make navigation hazardous. On top of that, limited internet access near the poles makes it difficult for navigators to retrieve the data they need in a timely manner. Yet, having access to the right information is crucial for making quick, informed decisions that ensure both safety and efficiency.

The satellite solution

Inspired by navigators’ repeated requests for ready-to-use data combinations during expeditions, IcySea offers access to the latest ice-specific satellite imagery for research, expeditions, tourism, fishing, shipping and offshore activities via a phone-sized GPS plug. The data is optimized for download in PDF format. The app is accessible and is presented through a user-friendly, intuitive and interactive interface, making it easier for crews to compare and interpret critical information while navigating icy waters. For example, users can access maps of sea ice concentration, manipulate layers and even select a point of ice on an image to forecast its drift. The app also includes a ship risk assessment tool, which evaluates the navigability of ice-covered areas depending on the vessel type entered in the system. To improve situational awareness, IcySea offers access to optical and radar satellite imagery, enabling users to monitor ice flows on clear days with optical images, or to rely on radar imagery when clouds prevent visibility. For each dataset, the app clearly indicates the most recent update time, ensuring crews always have access to the latest available information.

The results

• Reduces cost and risk.
• Instant access to ice relevant data and satellite imagery for navigators on the bridge of ships going into the polar regions.
• Time is saved because of the data processing and visualization via IcySea. Decision-making process is accelerated.
• Access to the kind of data provided via IcySea increases safety on board of ships because navigators can better assess the kind of conditions, they can expect in their target area.
• High-resolution satellite imagery simplifies and speeds up the route planning and allows ships to navigate more efficiently, save fuel and reduce travel times, which all saves the operator money.

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Polar View is an international organisation specialising in satellite-based monitoring of the polar regions and global marine environments. With extensive expertise in delivering operational services, Polar View supports users in addressing environmental and climate-related challenges through Earth observation.

The challenge

Polar regions face extreme environmental conditions—sub-zero temperatures, winter darkness, and dangerous sea ice and icebergs—that make navigation perilous. The scarcity of in-situ sensors across vast and remote polar areas leads to critical data gaps, increasing the risks of maritime incidents. Regulatory frameworks such as the IMO Polar Code demand improved ice information, but data fragmentation and jurisdictional boundaries limit coordination and access to reliable forecasts.

The satellite solution

The DESIDE project, funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and led by Polar View and the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) uses DESP/DestinE system capabilities to generate enhanced polar data services. By integrating RCM ARD data (Analysis Ready Data from the RADARSAT Constellation Mission), Sentinel satellites, and other polar datasets, the project provides comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional sea ice products. Key tools include a Sea Ice Chart Data Cube for planning and AI training, a method to track ice movement between satellite images, and tailored delivery via platforms such as IcySea, Polar Dashboard, and Polar TEP. These solutions support ship operators, analysts, and researchers alike.

The results

• Improved sea ice tracking and forecasting to support safety, planning, and emergency response.
• Greater operational safety for vessels navigating polar waters through more reliable and accessible ice data.
• Reduced emissions via optimized ship routing and voyage planning.
• Protection of environmentally sensitive areas through more accurate forecasts and policy support.
• Enhanced access to polar data for scientific research and AI-based analysis.

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Polar View is an international organisation specialising in satellite-based monitoring of the polar regions and global marine environments. With extensive expertise in delivering operational services, Polar View supports users in addressing environmental and climate-related challenges through Earth observation.

The challenge

Climate change calls for a fundamental transformation of our economies and societies. The global push toward a low-carbon, circular, and nature-positive economy—known as the Green Transition—must be supported by reliable data and decision-support tools, especially in vulnerable regions such as the Arctic and North Atlantic. The challenge lies in helping public and private actors plan and operate in ways that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable, across sectors including maritime transport, renewable energy, and aquaculture.

The satellite solution

The Cerulean Information Factory (CIF), led by Polar View and funded by ESA, co-develops user-driven services that draw on satellite data, particularly from the Copernicus Marine Service, to support decision-making in three key sectors:

• Shipping: A route optimisation tool combining ocean and ice data with IMO CII metrics to improve safety and reduce emissions.
• Offshore renewables: A toolkit using historical and seasonal ocean data to assess site suitability and operational risk for wind, wave, and tidal energy.
• Aquaculture: A service integrating Copernicus and meteorological data to support site selection and risk monitoring, including water quality indicators.

The results

CIF delivers operational geospatial services that make satellite data accessible and actionable for end users. Key outcomes include:

• Minimizing carbon emissions from ships while maintaining safe and economical operations in and around sea ice.
• Assessing the suitability of sites for offshore renewable energy installations to balance the potential for energy production with the risks associated with hazards such as structural icing and extreme weather conditions.
• Assessment of the suitability of sites for aquaculture facilities to balance the potential for bio-productivity with the risks associated with sea ice and harmful algal blooms.

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Founded in 1984, the University of the Aegean aims to promote regional development and to introduce new approaches in higher education in Greece and worldwide. Member of the European Universities Association (EUA), member of the EMUNI Senate and partner in many academics and research networks, the University of the Aegean has become a dynamic and competitive institution at national and international level and a strong social and economic stakeholder in the region.

The challenge

Fish stock monitoring is an integral part of fisheries research and management. It is vital for assessing the state of the ecosystem, and if there are changes to the suitable habitat of the species.

Traditional methods of small pelagic fish monitoring is done through catch assessment onboard fishing vessels, fishing logbooks, and echo surveys. All these methods are time-consuming and require a lot of resources, either financial or manpower.

The satellite solution

The University of the Aegean developed remote sensing models using Copernicus Sentinel-3 data (OLCI and SLSTR sensors) to monitor environmental conditions such as chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature. These variables act as proxies for identifying suitable habitats and feeding grounds for small pelagic fish.

The results

The project led to the development of an operational workflow that produces:

• Spatial distribution models (1 km) for both anchovy and sardine populations, enabling precise mapping of potential habitats.
• Daily presence/absence prediction maps, where each pixel represents the likelihood of observing a given species at that location, based on the most recent satellite data.
• A pilot geospatial service, offering an interactive platform for fisheries managers to explore and access updated habitat information.
• Ancillary products, such as thermal front maps, which highlight biologically productive zones where different water masses meet—often hotspots for fish activity.

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Ekodenge is a Turkish SME with a team of sustainability experts, providing consultancy, engineering, architecture, and software solution services.

Created in 1996, Ekodenge is headquartered in Ankara, at the Hacettepe Technopark research and business centre. The company can count on a multi-disciplinary team of 40 people, including architects, chemical, environmental and mechanical engineers.

The challenge

Climate change is exposing historical and cultural sites to threats such as floods, wildfires and heatwaves, among others. Data on land cover is critical to understand these hazards, as well as to monitor changes around cultural heritage sites.

Even though spatial information becomes more and more abundant thanks to global Earth Observation (EO) systems, spatial data collected by different entities for different regions of the world still lack standardisation and harmonisation.

Since 2019 Ekodenge is part of the Consortium implementing the Horizon 2020 SHELTER project (Sustainable Historic Environments holistic reconstruction through Technological Enhancement and community-based Resilience). The project involves 23 partners from 10 countries.

SHELTER includes five test beds, representing the main climatic and environmental challenges in Europe and different heritage’s typologies.

Ekodenge is responsible for creating a risk assessment tool visualised on a Geographic Information System (GIS), containing information on land use, that can used to foresee resilience and threats to the heritage and to plan recovery measures. To do this, Ekodenge needs accurate information on land cover in the sites targeted by the project.

The satellite solution

To build the platform for disaster risk management in the areas targeted by the project, Ekodenge uses data on land cover and climate and historical data from the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites of the Copernicus programme.

The historical data allow them to retrace soil movements, changes in landcover, and weather events, such as heatwaves and floods, that damaged the cultural heritage sites in the past. These data are integrated in the datadriven platform for disasters risk management produced within the project.

The Copernicus data is particularly useful for this kind of assessments, since the data are freely available across Europe and accessible in the same format. This means that the data acquired through Copernicus allow Ekodenge to calibrate all different and site-specific data to be used into the same platform. Moreover, the information contained in the platform for each site can be easily compared and updated.

The results

Thanks to Copernicus data, Ekodenge can acquire data on land cover for the five different areas targeted in the open labs in a harmonised and standardised format.

The platform not only includes information relevant for safeguarding cultural heritage, but also for protecting natural heritage and human settlements from natural disasters and climate change at the regional level.

The GIS platform developed by the partners of the SHELTER project will contribute to building a model to improve the resilience of cultural heritage sites through better decision-making processes and policies applicable at local and regional levels.

All data will be made available on an IT platform after the project ends in 2023. Based on the information regrouped in the platform, the project partners will propose measures to increase the resilience of cultural heritage sites and make recommendations on “building back better” techniques.

The platform is intended to be used by all the stakeholders operating in the sites targeted by the SHELTER project, such as policymakers, fire brigades, construction companies, and research institutes.

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