Coordinated efforts to develop a regional research and development strategy for innovation was launched as early as 2009 by the ministers from the Western Balkans responsible for science and research, the European Union commissioner for science and research, joined later by the World Bank.
In this context, Earth observation provides significant contributions to the digital economy through a series of innovative services and a wealth of data. Pilot projects, developed notably under ESA programmes, have demonstrated capabilities to support Blue Growth, Agriculture, Water Management and Security and Stability policies.
The workshop will be the opportunity to confront needs and solutions and it will gather policy makers, scientists, service operators and EO application specialists. Special attention will be paid to regional perspectives, such as the Danube strategy, the Black Sea and the Western Balkans. The workshop is being jointly organised by the Bulgarian Academy of Science and the European Space Agency under the auspices of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, and in cooperation with the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC). Participation will be free of charge. The working language will be English.

The Conference is being organised in coordination with the adjacently organised Copernicus event.