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Stories

Voices and success stories from the GDA community
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Satellite Earth Observation: A key enabler for Digital Public Infrastructure
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
17 September 2026

Satellite Earth Observation: A key enabler for Digital Public Infrastructure

Digital systems are transforming how societies identify individuals, transfer money, and exchange information. Yet an equally important dimension is place. Without geospatial data, digital systems capture who and what but … Read more
ESA and ADB advance Earth Observation cooperation in Manila visit
Partnership
01 June 2026

ESA and ADB advance Earth Observation cooperation in Manila visit

A delegation from ESA visited the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Manila from 15 to 17 April 2026, taking stock of a partnership that has steadily integrated Earth Observation … Read more
A new evidence-based system to strengthen drought resilience in the Horn of Africa
FAST EO Co-FINANCING FACILITY
26 May 2026

A new evidence-based system to strengthen drought resilience in the Horn of Africa

Drought is considered one of the world’s most economically damaging natural hazard. It is also one of the hardest to see coming and the least understood. In fact, unlike floods … Read more
From Space to Seascapes: Using EO to Strengthen Blue Carbon Assessments in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
FAST EO Co-FINANCING FACILITY
18 May 2026

From Space to Seascapes: Using EO to Strengthen Blue Carbon Assessments in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

The World Bank is increasingly turning to Earth Observation (EO) to strengthen how it plans, assesses, and invests in coastal and marine environments. In the Red Sea and Gulf of … 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
 Insights from ESA GDA Industry Day: Defining a Thriving EO Sector – Blog #3
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
13 February 2025

 Insights from ESA GDA Industry Day: Defining a Thriving EO Sector – Blog #3

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
Insights from ESA GDA Industry Day: Defining Success in EO Impact Assessment  – Blog #2
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
11 February 2025

Insights from ESA GDA Industry Day: Defining Success in EO Impact Assessment  – Blog #2

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
Insights from ESA GDA Industry Day: Strengthening Ties with IFIs and Client Countries  – Blog #1
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
11 February 2025

Insights from ESA GDA Industry Day: Strengthening Ties with IFIs and Client Countries  – Blog #1

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’sGlobal Development Assistance (GDA) programme. The series explores … Read more
Tackling the Sargassum Challenge: Reflections on the Conference on Sargassum
Partnership
22 October 2024

Tackling the Sargassum Challenge: Reflections on the Conference on Sargassum

In early October, Fabio Cian, the ESA representative to the World Bank, had the privilege of attending the Second EU-Caribbean Global Gateway Conference on Sargassum in Grenada, eastern Caribbean, as … Read more
ESA Global Development Assistance Mid-term Evaluation
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
26 September 2024

ESA Global Development Assistance Mid-term Evaluation

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) activity of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme has completed the mid-term evaluation, carried out by Caribou Space under the GDA … Read more
Informal Settlements and Urban Sprawl: Insights from Recent Research leveraging EO
Partnership
12 September 2024

Informal Settlements and Urban Sprawl: Insights from Recent Research leveraging EO

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
Using Earth Observation Data for Public Health
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
23 May 2024

Using Earth Observation Data for Public Health

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme underscored the pivotal role of Earth Observation (EO) data in Public Health by launching an Invitation to Tender (ITT) focused … Read more
Unveiling the unseen: Opening a window into the wider impact of Space for IDA
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
27 February 2024

Unveiling the unseen: Opening a window into the wider impact of Space for IDA

The small coastal city of Palu, on the island of Sulawesi, sits at the end of a glorious bay, nestled at the interface of ocean and land. But in 2018, … Read more
Key take-aways from ESA’s GDA Industry Engagement Day
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
26 January 2024

Key take-aways from ESA’s GDA Industry Engagement Day

On 15 December 2023, the Global Development Assistance (GDA) industry ecosystem came together at the European Space Agency Centre for Earth Observation (ESA — ESRIN) in Frascati, Italy, for a … Read more
Using Earth Observation Data for Environmental, Social, and Governance Schemes
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
18 December 2023

Using Earth Observation Data for Environmental, Social, and Governance Schemes

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) schemes encourage investors to consider wider contextual factors when making asset allocation decisions and conducting risk assessment. Traditionally applied to corporations managing their operations or … Read more
Seeing the Bigger Picture: A Strategic Analysis of Space for IDA
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
10 October 2023

Seeing the Bigger Picture: A Strategic Analysis of Space for IDA

Space for International Development Assistance (Space for IDA) – is a cooperation framework implemented in collaboration with key multilateral IFIs . In the initial phase, the European Space Agency is … Read more
Space for International Development Assistance Cooperation Framework Review Year 1
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
27 September 2023

Space for International Development Assistance Cooperation Framework Review Year 1

The Space for International Development Assistance (Space for IDA) is a cooperation framework between ESA and its partner International Financial Institutions (IFIs), which are initially the World Bank (WB), and … Read more
The Development Assistance Landscape and GDA: a strategic analysis of current trends
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
15 September 2023

The Development Assistance Landscape and GDA: a strategic analysis of current trends

The Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme was created in 2019 by ESA member states to fuel and boost cooperation with International Financial Institutions (IFIs). GDA aims at mainstreaming Earth Observation … Read more
Introducing the new World Bank E-Platform: Weather and Climate Services for Resilient Development
Climate Resilience
31 August 2023

Introducing the new World Bank E-Platform: Weather and Climate Services for Resilient Development

When it comes to tackling the uncertainties of our changing climate, information on water, weather, and climate is vital. Making informed decisions to enhance resilience across sectors like food production, … Read more
ESA and the World Bank: 15 Years of Collaboration
Partnership
10 July 2023

ESA and the World Bank: 15 Years of Collaboration

2023 marks a significant milestone and is the opportunity to celebrate the 15th year anniversary of the fruitful collaboration between the World Bank and the European Space Agency (ESA). Over … Read more
Space to empower rural food producers
Partnership
04 July 2023

Space to empower rural food producers

The European Space Agency (ESA) recently formalised their partnership with United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through the signature of a Letter of Intent. The official announcement took … Read more
Using Earth Observation for Monitoring & Evaluation
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
10 May 2023

Using Earth Observation for Monitoring & Evaluation

Satellite Earth Observation (EO) data is transforming the development landscape and has received growing recognition in its use for Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) purposes. The European Space Agency (ESA) Global … Read more
Global Development Assistance: Initial “State of Play” of Earth Observation Use in IFIs
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
09 May 2023

Global Development Assistance: Initial “State of Play” of Earth Observation Use in IFIs

Understanding the current usage of satellite Earth Observation (EO) information in the activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs)  The European Space Agency (ESA)  Global Development Assistance (GDA)  programme is … Read more
Earth Observation and Clean Energy
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
19 April 2023

Earth Observation and Clean Energy

Satellite Earth Observation (EO) data are enhancing the renewable energy landscape, offering valuable insights to overcome critical knowledge gaps. The European Space Agency (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme recognises … Read more
ESA Global Development Assistance Status Review Year 1
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
05 April 2023

ESA Global Development Assistance Status Review Year 1

The European Space Agency (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme is a global partnership to mainstream the use of satellite Earth Observation (EO) into development operations. This GDA Status Review … Read more
Wider Economic Benefits from Satellite Earth Observation in Developing Countries
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
09 November 2022

Wider Economic Benefits from Satellite Earth Observation in Developing Countries

The impacts of satellite Earth Observation (EO) for sustainable development are well documented, but the wider benefit of EO to developing countries is less understood. To address this gap, the … Read more
Leveraging geospatial technologies for Monitoring & Evaluation
Agriculture
21 September 2022

Leveraging geospatial technologies for Monitoring & Evaluation

IFAD organised a webinar as part of their “Food4Thought Series“, dedicated to Leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), on 7 September 2022. Clement Albergel, Climate Applications … Read more
ESA’s GDA programme invests in understanding and generating impact
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
15 June 2022

ESA’s GDA programme invests in understanding and generating impact

Data, has become an integral part of our daily lives. The World Bank’s World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives – highlights that innovations resulting from the creative new … Read more