In our next EOcafe, our host Geoff Sawyer (EARSC Strategic Advisor and former Secretary General) will exchange with Silvia Viceconte (Head of the Digital Sector, DG INTPA B.2 Mexico, Central America, Caribbean and Regional Operations II) to shed light on the EU – Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Digital Alliance, including upcoming opportunities for European EO companies and start-ups, as well as updates on DG INTPA’s work in the region regarding Copernicus.
DG INTPA, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships, is responsible for formulating the EU’s international partnership and development policy. In the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, in order to reinforce its political engagement, boost trade and investment, and build more sustainable, fair and inter-connected societies, they have established the EU-LAC Digital Alliance.
The EU-LAC Digital Alliance creates a strategic framework to foster substantial bi-regional cooperation across the full spectrum of digital and space issues under the Global Gateway strategy. The objective of the Alliance is to bring the EU and LAC digital markets closer together, supported through a series of “initiatives”, which include the Digital Accelerator and the Copernicus regional centres.
The Digital Accelerator aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems by accelerating a “new generation EU-LAC partnerships” between SMEs/startups and industry/private sector corporations from both regions. The Open Call provides support to EU-LAC partnerships that address digital transformation challenges (e.g., smart production, clean tech, etc.) through Open Innovation.
In addition, two regional Copernicus centres will be created: one in Panama, and one in Chile, both of which will serve the entire Latin American and Caribbean regions. These centres aim to enable and facilitate the exchange and sharing of information, know-how, research, and make strategic use of space data to leverage opportunities that the space sector offers to address challenges such as disaster risk reduction and climate change.
Tune in next Thursday, 4th April, to learn more about these initiatives and what opportunities are available. Questions that could be addressed during this EOcafe include:
- What is the EU-LAC Digital Alliance? How does it fit into existing cooperation with the LAC region and how is it relevant for the EO industry?
- What opportunities are available under the Digital Accelerator? Which companies can apply and what should they take into account?
- What and where are the regional Copernicus centres? What is their mission and what should the European EO industry be aware of?
- What other activities is DG INTPA carrying out in the LAC region that are of relevance for the EO industry?
Registration: The webinar is open to all. Registration is free but compulsory.
Please note this is a virtual event!
EOcafe is part of a series of EARSC meetings that offer timely, relevant, and practical information on a broad variety of topics related to the EO sector. Join us every two weeks to discuss and network while enjoying a cup of coffee with friends.
IMPORTANT NOTES!!!
- The use of a video camera is not mandatory but is encouraged to facilitate better interaction between the attendees and the guest speaker(s).
- The EOcafe will stay open after 17:00 in case our guests want to continue the discussion.
- By registering for this event, you accept the terms and conditions (https://earsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EARSC_Events_GDPR.pdf).
If you have any questions, and/or you want to know more about the EOcafe, and/or you want to share an idea about a future EOcafe, please contact Tanya Walker (tanya.walker@earsc.org).