ESA GDA through the years
The programme leverages Earth Observation (EO) technologies to support global development by providing critical data and analytics.
Knowledge Hub
Advancing and Building EO knowledge and Capacity (ABC). Extensive and interactive repository of European Earth Observation service capabilities.
MOOC on Satellite Earth Observation for IDA
The Space for International Development Assistance Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), created for the GDA, examines EO’s role in global development with expert insights.
Unveiling the unseen: Opening a window into the wider impact of Space for IDA
This short film captures Indonesia's 2018 disaster recovery with the help of external agencies and Earth Observation technology.
ESA GDA Impact Newsroom- Episode 14: November 2025
Episode 14. Welcome to the Impact Newsroom from the GDA programme, powered by the European Space Agency
ESA GDA Impact Newsroom- Episode 13: October 2025
Episode 13. Welcome to the Impact Newsroom from the GDA programme, powered by the European Space Agency
The GDA Forest Management activity officially began on 3rd September and will run for 21 months. This project aims to enhance forest management by using Earth Observation (EO) technology to … Read more
In a significant step towards deepening collaborations, Bruno Carrasco, Director General of the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), visited ESA’s ESRIN centre in … Read more
A recent study, drawing on Earth Observation (EO) Data, from European Space Agency’s (ESA) Earth Observation for Sustainable Development (EO4SD) initiative, the predecessor of the Global Development Assistance programme, sheds … Read more
The GDA AID Urban Sustainability activity is supporting the “Integrated Urban Data Platform – Application for Urban Centres in Kenya” project. This initiative, led by the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) … Read more
Balochistan represents a province of Pakistan located in the southwestern region of the country. It is the largest province by area, yet it is the least populated, with minimal infrastructure … Read more
On May 15, 2024, ESA had the pleasure to host Renaud Seligmann, World Bank Director for Strategy and Operations of the Sustainable Development Practice Group at the ESA-ESRIN facilities in … Read more
Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest freshwater lake by area and delivers valuable ecosystem services to local communities including domestic use, industrial and agricultural water provision, waste disposal, and hydropower generation. … Read more
Botswana, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is renowned for its vast mineral deposits and arid landscapes. However, this aridity comes at a cost: water scarcity. The country faces a … Read more
ESA’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme recently participated in the “Bridging the Gap: Satellite Data and Models for Local Impact” online workshop organised by the University of Coimbra and its … Read more
In a recently launched publication titled “Earth Observation Services and Tools for Development: Examples from Indonesia“, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) presents a comprehensive exploration of the transformative role played … Read more
A new Invitation to Tender (ITT) has been issued and seeks to implement upcoming Earth Observation (EO) information advancements, specifically addressing geo-information needs within the thematic area of Forest Management … Read more
Welcome to Cosmopolis! A tour of this imaginary city highlights the benefit of satellite Earth Observation for urban sustainability This city has been built for the European Space Agency’s Global … Read more
The European Space Agency’s GDA AID Urban Sustainability has been supporting the World Bank (WB) Second Rwanda Urban Development Project (RUDPII). The consortium is using Earth Observation (EO) to develop … Read more
GDA AID Urban Sustainability has been supporting the World Bank (WB) “Nigeria West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Multi-Sector Resilience Plan” project in Warri City, Nigeria. By tapping into the expertise … Read more
Franck Martin Seifert, Earth Observation Application Engineer at the European Space Agency (ESA) currently leading the Forest Management component of the Earth Observation for Sustainable Development Initiative (EO4SD), participated in … Read more
GDA AID Urban Sustainability has been supporting the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) “Integrated and Innovative Solutions for More Liveable Cities” project in Sargodha, Pakistan. This and an upcoming investment project … Read more