Stories

Voices and success stories from the GDA community
Agriculture Clean Energy Climate Adaptation & Finance Climate Resilience Disaster Resilience Forest Management Fragility Conflict Security Marine Public Health Transport & Infrastructure Urban Sustainability Water Resources ANALYTICS AND PROCESSING PLATFORM FAST EO Co-FINANCING FACILITY IMPACT COMMUNICATION KNOWLEDGE HUB MONITORING AND EVALUATION Partnership
Mapping urban heat and vulnerability in Abidjan
Urban Sustainability
27 March 2026

Mapping urban heat and vulnerability in Abidjan

Heat stress in a fast-growing West African metropolis Abidjan is expanding rapidly, driven by strong economic growth and continuous population inflows. Much of this growth has been unplanned, with dense … Read more
Coastal carbon and fishery assessment in Madagascar and Comoros
FAST EO Co-FINANCING FACILITY
20 March 2026

Coastal carbon and fishery assessment in Madagascar and Comoros

Satellites supporting coastal resilience in Madagascar and Comoros Across the western Indian Ocean, coastal ecosystems play a vital role in protecting communities, sustaining livelihoods, and responding to climate change. Mangrove … Read more
Cooling the City: How EO is supporting heat resilience in Novi Sad
Urban Sustainability
17 March 2026

Cooling the City: How EO is supporting heat resilience in Novi Sad

The ESA Global Development Assistance Urban Sustainability (GDA Urban) activity is working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to strengthen climate resilience in Novi Sad, Serbia. The … Read more
Strengthening coastal resilience and forest management in Bangladesh with EO
Forest Management
06 March 2026

Strengthening coastal resilience and forest management in Bangladesh with EO

The ESA Global Development Assistance (GDA) Forest Management activity is supporting the World Bank (WB) in the preparation of a multisectoral coastal resilience programme in Bangladesh, designed to help safeguard … Read more
Assessing road infrastructure quality across Pakistan
Transport & Infrastructure
03 March 2026

Assessing road infrastructure quality across Pakistan

The ESA Global Development Assistance (GDA) Transport & Infrastructure (T&I) activity supports a variety of World Bank transport and disaster-risk projects in Pakistan, including the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor Project, … Read more
Announcing the winner of the ESA GDA Impact Stories from Space Challenge
IMPACT COMMUNICATION
03 March 2026

Announcing the winner of the ESA GDA Impact Stories from Space Challenge

The GDA Impact Stories from Space Challenge is created to surface clear, evidence-based examples of Earth Observation (EO) being used in development and resilience work. Its aim is to highlight … Read more
Co-developing EO services with the World Bank for Timor-Leste’s climate–health resilience
Public Health
26 February 2026

Co-developing EO services with the World Bank for Timor-Leste’s climate–health resilience

Timor-Leste faces growing climate-related challenges that affect crops, food production and public health. Shifting rainfall patterns are increasing climate stress on rain-fed agriculture and contributing to the spread of diseases … Read more
Water Security in Somalia: How IFAD is using Earth Observation to strengthen groundwater management
Water Resources
23 February 2026

Water Security in Somalia: How IFAD is using Earth Observation to strengthen groundwater management

Somalia is highly vulnerable to climate shocks, with frequent droughts and floods disrupting agriculture and livestock-based livelihoods. In this context, the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is exploring … Read more
From space to preparedness: How Earth Observation can strengthen emergency response and resilience in the Dominican Republic
FAST EO Co-FINANCING FACILITY
21 January 2026

From space to preparedness: How Earth Observation can strengthen emergency response and resilience in the Dominican Republic

How does Earth Observation move from a map to a decision in development finance? In the Dominican Republic, the World Bank used ESA’s GDA Fast EO Co-Financing Facility to integrate … Read more
Enhancing Earth Observation for land cover and land use classification in Vietnam
FAST EO Co-FINANCING FACILITY
05 January 2026

Enhancing Earth Observation for land cover and land use classification in Vietnam

For International Financial Institutions, the challenge is no longer whether Earth Observation can add value, but how satellite data can be integrated into operational analysis in a way that is … Read more
ESA’s GDA in 2025: A year of acceleration, partnerships and measurable impact
IMPACT COMMUNICATION
29 December 2025

ESA’s GDA in 2025: A year of acceleration, partnerships and measurable impact

Partnerships that shape how Earth Observation enters development finance A central thread throughout the year was the deepening exchange with International Financial Institutions (and not only them). Rather than isolated … Read more
Insights from the GDA Impact Dashboard: Understanding where and how EO supports IFI operations
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
19 December 2025

Insights from the GDA Impact Dashboard: Understanding where and how EO supports IFI operations

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme aims to integrate satellite Earth Observation (EO) into everyday decision-making processes and practices of International Financial Institutions’ (IFIs) development operations. … Read more
Using satellite images to support erosion control in Madagascar
FAST EO Co-FINANCING FACILITY
15 December 2025

Using satellite images to support erosion control in Madagascar

Earth observation is emerging as a key resource for development finance. In Madagascar, it gives the German Development Bank KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) a clearer view of where anti-erosion measures … Read more
Understanding the planning challenges for floating solar PV in Indonesia
Clean Energy
15 December 2025

Understanding the planning challenges for floating solar PV in Indonesia

EO Supporting UNOPS and ADB in Early Planning As Indonesia scales up its renewable-energy ambitions, UNOPS and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) increasingly require consistent and objective environmental information to … Read more
Satellite data helps monitor heat stress in Pakistan through climate-health platform
Public Health
30 October 2025

Satellite data helps monitor heat stress in Pakistan through climate-health platform

Rising temperatures and more frequent extreme heat events pose an increasing threat to public health in Pakistan. Ranked among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, Pakistan regularly faces heat waves that … Read more
Tracing macroplastics in West Africa’s coastal waters
Marine
08 October 2025

Tracing macroplastics in West Africa’s coastal waters

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing global environmental challenges, threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and human livelihoods. In West Africa, where millions depend on the ocean for food … Read more
The ‘Direct’ and ‘Indirect’ Benefits of Satellite Earth Observation for Low- and Middle-income Countries
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
29 September 2025

The ‘Direct’ and ‘Indirect’ Benefits of Satellite Earth Observation for Low- and Middle-income Countries

Climate crises, humanitarian emergencies and sustainable development challenges are deeply connected and increasingly complex. Whether it is prolonged droughts disrupting food systems or increasingly frequent floods displacing communities, governments and … Read more
Unlocking Climate Adaptation Finance with Earth Observation
Climate Adaptation & Finance
15 September 2025

Unlocking Climate Adaptation Finance with Earth Observation

Communities worldwide are facing escalating climate impacts; from record-breaking heatwaves and rising seas to more frequent floods, storms, and droughts. Building resilience in livelihoods, ecosystems, and infrastructure has become an … Read more
Satellite Data Supports Forest Inventories in Mexico
Forest Management
10 September 2025

Satellite Data Supports Forest Inventories in Mexico

The ESA Global Development Assistance (GDA) Forest Management activity is supporting the World Bank in the Mexico Strengthening Entrepreneurship in Productive Forest Landscapes Project. This collaboration focuses on enhancing the … Read more
Using Earth Observation to Plan Educational Services in Uganda
Transport & Infrastructure
09 September 2025

Using Earth Observation to Plan Educational Services in Uganda

This case study is part of the ESA GDA Transport & Infrastructure (T&I) consortium’s broader work to support International Financial Institution (IFI) teams with innovative, user-tailored Earth Observation (EO) services. … Read more
Monitoring Transport Vulnerabilities in Guinea-Bissau
Transport & Infrastructure
25 August 2025

Monitoring Transport Vulnerabilities in Guinea-Bissau

The ESA GDA Transport & Infrastructure (GDA T&I) activity is supporting the World Bank’s Enhancing Connectivity in Northern Guinea-Bissau Project to better understand mobility patterns, assess infrastructure vulnerability, and identify … Read more
Supporting Georgia to improve climate resilient water management for agriculture
Water Resources
29 July 2025

Supporting Georgia to improve climate resilient water management for agriculture

Georgia faces a complex array of water-related challenges, demanding a nuanced approach to enhance planning and management. The western region, characterised by prevailing westerly winds, benefits from abundant rainfall, fostering … Read more
EO tools supporting Ghana’s food system resilience
Agriculture
25 July 2025

EO tools supporting Ghana’s food system resilience

In regions heavily reliant on smallholder farming, access to timely climate information is essential for building resilient agricultural systems. Ghana, like many other countries, faces mounting challenges in food production … Read more
Understanding Forest Management Needs through User Engagement
Forest Management
24 July 2025

Understanding Forest Management Needs through User Engagement

ESA’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) Forest Management activity supports the integration of satellite Earth Observation (EO) into the forest sector programmes of International Financial Institutions (IFIs). Designed and implemented by … Read more
Earth Observation in Action: ESA at ADB’s INSPIRE Forum
Public Health
23 July 2025

Earth Observation in Action: ESA at ADB’s INSPIRE Forum

The European Space Agency (ESA), through its Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme, contributed to the INSPIRE Health Forum 2025 (INclusive, Sustainable, Prosperous and REsilient Health Systems in Asia and the … Read more
From space to strategy: using EO to improve urban development, starting in Sarajevo
FAST EO Co-FINANCING FACILITY
14 July 2025

From space to strategy: using EO to improve urban development, starting in Sarajevo

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recently conducted a deep dive impact assessment of its activities in Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, leveraging Earth Observation (EO) technologies to … Read more
Satellite Data Helps Angola Tackle Urban Mobility Challenges
Transport & Infrastructure
07 July 2025

Satellite Data Helps Angola Tackle Urban Mobility Challenges

The ESA Global Development Assistance (GDA) Transport & Infrastructure (T&I) activity is contributing to the World Bank-led Angola Urban Sustainable Mobility Project, which aims to enhance transport infrastructure in Angola’s … Read more
ESA GDA launches two new cross-cutting tools
22 June 2025

ESA GDA launches two new cross-cutting tools

The ESA GDA programme is poised to expand their suite of tools offered to partner institutions and the development community with the launch of two new cross-cutting tools: the ABC … Read more
How innovation can resolve conflict in the Sahel
Water Resources
30 May 2025

How innovation can resolve conflict in the Sahel

ESA’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme was recently featured at IFAD’s Innovation Day, with the “Water for Peace” initiative showcased in IFAD’s innovation marketplace. The project, implemented by IFAD in … Read more
GDA Forest Management Brochure: Leveraging EO for Sustainable Forest Futures
Forest Management
27 May 2025

GDA Forest Management Brochure: Leveraging EO for Sustainable Forest Futures

Building on the recent launch of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Global Development Assistance Forest Management (GDA Forest) activity, the consortium has published a new brochure that outlines the opportunities … Read more
Tracking surface water dynamics for agricultural resilience in Timor-Leste
Water Resources
27 May 2025

Tracking surface water dynamics for agricultural resilience in Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste, an independent nation in the Indonesian archipelago, faces significant climate-related risks. The country’s agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, including erratic seasonal rainfall, tropical storms, and … Read more
Building locust resilience in East Africa with EO data
Agriculture
29 April 2025

Building locust resilience in East Africa with EO data

The desert locust poses a severe threat to agriculture in East Africa, with the potential to decimate croplands through swarms numbering in the millions. The infestation between 2019 and 2022 … Read more
GDA Climate Adaptation and Finance Kick-off meeting
Climate Adaptation & Finance
14 April 2025

GDA Climate Adaptation and Finance Kick-off meeting

The European Space Agency (ESA) officially launched its Global Development Assistance (GDA) Climate Adaptation and Finance (CA&F) thematic activity on 3 April 2025. This marks the twelfth and final thematic … Read more
Harnessing Earth Observation for Sustainable Water Management in Afghanistan
FAST EO Co-FINANCING FACILITY
03 April 2025

Harnessing Earth Observation for Sustainable Water Management in Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s water resources face increasing pressures from growing demand, climate change, and limited in situ data availability. Through the European Space Agency’s Global Development Assistance (ESA GDA) Fast Co-Financing Facility, … Read more
Supporting the Bioeconomy in the Amazon through Infrastructure Vulnerability Analysis
Transport & Infrastructure
03 April 2025

Supporting the Bioeconomy in the Amazon through Infrastructure Vulnerability Analysis

The ESA GDA Transport & Infrastructure (GDA T&I) activity is supporting the “Brazil Proactive, Safe, and Resilient Road Asset Management Program, a World Bank-led initiative. This collaboration aims to address … Read more
Bridging Data and Action for Global Forest Sustainability
Forest Management
01 April 2025

Bridging Data and Action for Global Forest Sustainability

Building in the lessons learned from the EO4SD Forest Management project, the ESA GDA Forest Management activity will support International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank and the … Read more
Driving sustainability with new insights: refining deforestation KPIs to strengthen green financing
Partnership
21 March 2025

Driving sustainability with new insights: refining deforestation KPIs to strengthen green financing

This blog is a repost of a publication by our partner, the World Bank. This data story is the second part of a series on new satellite-based data about deforestation … Read more
Harvesting Resilience: Integrating EO in Belizean Agricultural Development
Agriculture
10 March 2025

Harvesting Resilience: Integrating EO in Belizean Agricultural Development

In 2022, Belize’s exports of banana, citrus, and sugarcane collectively contributed 4.6% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Sugarcane production is concentrated in the Orange Walk district in the … Read more
ESA GDA Industry Day: Balancing Public Goods and Business Goals – Blog #4
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
13 February 2025

ESA GDA Industry Day: Balancing Public Goods and Business Goals – Blog #4

This blog is part of a four-part series designed to summarise the breakout group discussions from the Industry Engagement Co-Location Day for ESA’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme. The series … Read more
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