GDA Impact Stories from Space Challenge

2026 Edition

The 2026 edition launches in August 2026.

Submissions open at the end of September 2026 and close on 1 November 2026. Winners will be announced at the award ceremony in early December.

This year, entering is simpler: no separate registration. You register once, when you submit your impact story using the form below.

The challenge aims to:

• Inspire action by documenting the tangible benefits of EO in global development.
• Engage the EO-development community, from governments and NGOs to innovators and citizens.
• Reward creativity, collaboration and innovation through recognition and visibility.

• Participants in projects and activities funded by IFIs
• Activities spearheaded by private-sector EO providers carrying out demonstrations and projects
• Stakeholders and partners in developing countries

Participation is limited to:

• Entities from or associated with ESA Member States and Cooperating States, or developing countries as defined by the OECD DAC list
• EO initiatives that have not been developed through, or presented by, the GDA programme

Submissions can be accepted if at least one box in each of the following points can be ticked.

1. The target area is in a developing country as defined by the OECD DAC list

2. The implementation involves either:

• One of the ESA Member States: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
• One of the ESA Associate Member States: Cyprus, Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania
• A European country with an ESA Cooperation Agreement: Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta
• A non-European country with an ESA Cooperation Agreement: Canada
• A developing country

3. One or more of the following European satellite-based EO data sources is utilised:

• Copernicus Programme
• ESA Earth Watch
• ESA Earth Explorers
• European and Canadian commercial missions

4. Supplied materials meet these requirements:

• Entries include a maximum of 5 pages of text and must show EO outputs (rendered maps or imagery, not raw data layers)
• Multimedia materials and publications are welcome and do not count towards the 5-page limit
• Published materials must be scanned in full, including the pages showing publication details (journal title, date and issue)
• Referenced websites must be freely accessible; if password protected, include the password
• Submissions must be in English or French

• Remarkable and measurable EO role and impact on local, regional or global challenges (accounting for 50% of the total score)
• Active or recently completed work (completed within the last three years)
• A unique or untold story, showcasing EO’s role in delivering transformative solutions
• Scalability: projects that can inspire or be replicated elsewhere
• Partnership and inclusivity: initiatives that empower local communities, governments or organisations
• Communication and outreach: projects that bring visibility to the benefits of EO in innovative ways

An expert panel drawn from the ESA GDA team, IFI representatives and communication experts will evaluate all submissions against these criteria.

Structure

Each submission must be structured in four parts:

• Summary of the challenge addressed
• The EO solution offered
• Results achieved
• Options for scalability or replicability

Language

Submissions must be in English or French.

Format

• Accepted formats: text, maps, videos, etc.
• Story length: maximum 5 pages of text, showing EO outputs (rendered maps or imagery, not raw data layers)
• Multimedia and publications: welcome, and not counted towards the 5-page limit
• Documents: PDF format (max. 15MB)
• Videos: .mp4 or .wmv format (max. 50MB), shared via a link with no login restrictions (e.g. WeTransfer, Dropbox)

Requirements for published material and web references are listed under eligibility criteria, point 4.