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Stories

Voices and success stories from the GDA community
Agriculture Clean Energy Climate Resilience Disaster Resilience Forest Management Fragility Conflict Security Marine partnership Public Health Transport & Infrastructure Urban Sustainability Water Resources ANALYTICS AND PROCESSING PLATFORM IMPACT COMMUNICATION KNOWLEDGE HUB M&E MONITORING AND EVALUATION Partnership
Turning Over a New Leaf: Amman’s Journey Towards Sustainability with EO Technology
17 January 2025

Turning Over a New Leaf: Amman’s Journey Towards Sustainability with EO Technology

The ESA GDA AID Urban Sustainability team is working hand in hand with the World Bank’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Urban and Resilience team1 to provide spatial evidence … Read more
ESA’s GDA Propels Bangladesh’s Biogas Revolution: Unlocking a Market for Clean Energy
Clean Energy
15 January 2025

ESA’s GDA Propels Bangladesh’s Biogas Revolution: Unlocking a Market for Clean Energy

As Bangladesh ramps up its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the 2015 Paris Agreement, innovative collaborations are shaping the country’s clean energy landscape. The partnership between the European … Read more
EO Data enhances vulnerability assessment of Georgia’s Black Sea coast
Climate Resilience
05 November 2024

EO Data enhances vulnerability assessment of Georgia’s Black Sea coast

The European Space Agency (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) Climate Resilience Consortium has partnered with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Improved Coastal Management and Coastal Protection team to support Georgia’s … Read more
Bridging Gaps by Understanding Cambodia’s Transport and Mobility Patterns
Transport & Infrastructure
04 November 2024

Bridging Gaps by Understanding Cambodia’s Transport and Mobility Patterns

The GDA Transport & Infrastructure (GDA T&I) activity is supporting the World Bank’s Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice team in gathering actionable insights on Cambodia’s infrastructure and transportation systems. Overcoming … 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’s URBIS Conference Highlights Urban Insights from Space
Clean Energy
16 October 2024

ESA’s URBIS Conference Highlights Urban Insights from Space

ESA recently hosted the URBIS conference at ESRIN, focusing on “Urban Insights from Space”. The event brought together experts and stakeholders to explore how Earth Observation (EO) data can enhance … Read more
Third Party Missions data contribute to success of ESA’s Global Development
Fragility Conflict Security
30 September 2024

Third Party Missions data contribute to success of ESA’s Global Development

ESA’s GDA is the Global Development Assistance programme, implemented in partnership with International Financial Institutions, to mainstream Earth Observation (EO) technology in global development operations by responding directly to their … Read more
ESA Global Development Assistance Mid-term Evaluation
M&E
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
A High-Tech Peek at Kenya’s Urban Future Through Earth Observation
Urban Sustainability
29 August 2024

A High-Tech Peek at Kenya’s Urban Future Through Earth Observation

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
Assessing energy infrastructure vulnerability by estimating climate and disaster risk
Clean Energy
20 August 2024

Assessing energy infrastructure vulnerability by estimating climate and disaster risk

Story Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries related to climate change, as it is prone to experience various extreme events such as flooding, cyclones, and droughts. The Global … Read more
Global Collaboration on Transport and Infrastructure Development Needs
Transport & Infrastructure
09 August 2024

Global Collaboration on Transport and Infrastructure Development Needs

Like its predecessor, the EO for Sustainable Development (EO4SD) initiative, the ESA Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme was launched to support International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and their Client State (CS) … Read more
EO solutions in support to climate vulnerability in Niger
Clean Energy
02 August 2024

EO solutions in support to climate vulnerability in Niger

Niger, a Sub-Saharan African country, is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. The country’s geography and socio-economic conditions make it susceptible to various climate-related … Read more
Building a Resilient Future: Tackling Floods, Droughts, and Water Scarcity in Pakistan
Water Resources
25 July 2024

Building a Resilient Future: Tackling Floods, Droughts, and Water Scarcity in Pakistan

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
Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean area
Marine
14 June 2024

Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean area

The Blue Economy, which encompasses industries reliant on coastal and marine resources, plays a crucial role in the global economy,  contributing over US$2.5 trillion annually. In addition to this substantial … Read more
Web-based Application for Historical Data of Coastal Vulnerability Indices in Maldives Region
Marine
07 June 2024

Web-based Application for Historical Data of Coastal Vulnerability Indices in Maldives Region

In the Indian Ocean, there is a low-lying atoll island nation comprising approximately 1.200 islands, with 187 of them being currently inhabited. Given the limited land resources and high population … Read more
Enhancing Biomass Estimates with Advanced EO Technology
Climate Resilience
27 May 2024

Enhancing Biomass Estimates with Advanced EO Technology

The Climate Resilience team of the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme has collaborated with the World Bank on their ‘Next Generation MRV for Land Use Emissions … Read more
Using Earth Observation Data for Public Health
M&E
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
Unleashing the Power of Big Data: Monitoring Population Movement at the Afghanistan-Tajikistan Border
Fragility Conflict Security
16 May 2024

Unleashing the Power of Big Data: Monitoring Population Movement at the Afghanistan-Tajikistan Border

In an age dominated by data, the fusion of big data technologies and Earth observation (EO) products has ushered in a new era of insights and understanding. One innovative example … Read more
GDA Transport and Infrastructure Brochure: A deep dive into the new GDA AID Activity
Transport & Infrastructure
16 May 2024

GDA Transport and Infrastructure Brochure: A deep dive into the new GDA AID Activity

Following the recent launch  of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Global Development Assistance Transport & Infrastructure (GDA T&I), the consortium released a comprehensive brochure providing detailed insights into the various … Read more
Battling pollution threats of Africa’s largest freshwater lake
Water Resources
08 April 2024

Battling pollution threats of Africa’s largest freshwater lake

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
Satellite-Based Platform Enhances Hydrological Extremes Risk Assessment in Afghanistan
Climate Resilience
29 March 2024

Satellite-Based Platform Enhances Hydrological Extremes Risk Assessment in Afghanistan

The European Space Agency (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) Agile Earth Observation (EO) Information Development (AID) Climate Resilience Consortium collaborated with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations … Read more
Improving Livestock Farming in Paraguay Through Earth Observation
Agriculture
29 March 2024

Improving Livestock Farming in Paraguay Through Earth Observation

Working with the World Bank, GMV as part of the European Space Agency (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) Agile EO Information Development (AID) Agriculture Consortium is implementing an Earth Observation … Read more
Navigating to Tomorrow: ESA’s GDA Unlocks the Future of Transport and Infrastructure
Transport & Infrastructure
20 March 2024

Navigating to Tomorrow: ESA’s GDA Unlocks the Future of Transport and Infrastructure

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme has launched a new Agile Information Development (AID) activity focusing on transport and infrastructure, a new thematic area, unexplored even … Read more
Unveiling the unseen: Opening a window into the wider impact of Space for IDA
M&E
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
Seawater Pollution Assessment and Monitoring in the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Region
Marine
26 February 2024

Seawater Pollution Assessment and Monitoring in the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Region

Monitoring and continuously assessing seawater pollution play a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of marine environments, ensuring the preservation of seafood quality, and promoting the long-term sustainability of the … Read more
EO-based ecosystem assessment to support Blue Carbon evaluation in Tunisia
Marine
31 January 2024

EO-based ecosystem assessment to support Blue Carbon evaluation in Tunisia

Ecosystems are intricate environments that face increasing pressures, primarily driven by human interference and climate change, with their impact being the most notable factor contributing to performance degradation. The success … Read more
GDA AID Water Resources in support of combating water scarcity in Botswana
Water Resources
26 January 2024

GDA AID Water Resources in support of combating water scarcity in Botswana

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
Key take-aways from ESA’s GDA Industry Engagement Day
M&E
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
M&E
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
Soil monitoring helps build climate resilience for Nigeria’s farmers
Climate Resilience
06 December 2023

Soil monitoring helps build climate resilience for Nigeria’s farmers

Working with the World Bank, GMV as part of the European Space Agency (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) Agile EO Information Development (AID) Climate Resilience Consortium has designed a system … Read more
Climate-Resilient Flood Management in South Sudan through Earth Observation Insights
Climate Resilience
13 October 2023

Climate-Resilient Flood Management in South Sudan through Earth Observation Insights

Earth observation (EO) data has been used to map flooding and precipitation trends in South Sudan, a country prone to flood risk and hydrological variability. In a strategic partnership with … Read more
Seeing the Bigger Picture: A Strategic Analysis of Space for IDA
M&E
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
M&E
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
New Geospatial Portal for enhancing Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Investments 
Climate Resilience
21 September 2023

New Geospatial Portal for enhancing Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Investments 

The European Space Agency (ESA) Global Development Assistance (GDA) Agile Earth Observation (EO) Information Development (AID) Climate Resilience Consortium has created a novel geospatial portal that employs earth observation data … Read more
Satellite Data and Sustainability-Linked Bonds: Monitoring Land Use in Peruvian Amazon 
Climate Resilience
20 September 2023

Satellite Data and Sustainability-Linked Bonds: Monitoring Land Use in Peruvian Amazon 

International investors are developing financial products that can contribute to sustainable development and climate protection, such as reducing deforestation. While deforestation rates initially declined after peaking in 2004, recent evidence … Read more
The Development Assistance Landscape and GDA: a strategic analysis of current trends
M&E
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
Urban Wetlands: EO-based tools to support wetland restoration in Rwanda
Urban Sustainability
18 July 2023

Urban Wetlands: EO-based tools to support wetland restoration in Rwanda

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
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
Desert Locust Monitoring in East-Africa
Fragility Conflict Security
22 June 2023

Desert Locust Monitoring in East-Africa

The desert locust is one of the most destructive pests in the world. A small swarm can contain 80 million locusts and cause widespread damage to crops and vegetation. Between … Read more
From Coastlines to Space: EO Satellites for Advanced Risk Assessment in Warri City, Nigeria
Urban Sustainability
19 June 2023

From Coastlines to Space: EO Satellites for Advanced Risk Assessment in Warri City, Nigeria

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
Changing Grey to Green in Sargodha, Pakistan – Using Satellite Earth Observation
Urban Sustainability
10 May 2023

Changing Grey to Green in Sargodha, Pakistan – Using Satellite Earth Observation

 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
Using Earth Observation for Monitoring & Evaluation
M&E
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
M&E
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
Clean Energy
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
M&E
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
Putting Transport Modelling on the Fast Lane with satellite Earth Observation
Urban Sustainability
01 March 2023

Putting Transport Modelling on the Fast Lane with satellite Earth Observation

The GDA AID Urban Sustainability activity has been supporting the project “Updating the Revised Strategic Transport Plan for Dhaka, Bangladesh”. This project, led by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has … Read more
Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from forests in Mozambique with the World Bank
Climate Resilience
19 December 2022

Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from forests in Mozambique with the World Bank

The GDA AID Climate Resilience consortium has completed the first prototype of an information product that estimates aboveground biomass in Mozambique forests to support the calculation and monitoring of greenhouse … Read more
European Earth Observation providers support ADB in Pakistan floods recovery efforts
Disaster Resilience
22 November 2022

European Earth Observation providers support ADB in Pakistan floods recovery efforts

Following the devastating floods which occurred in Pakistan starting from June 2022, several European specialised Earth Observation providers took part in disaster assessment efforts to assist the Asian Development Bank … Read more
Wider Economic Benefits from Satellite Earth Observation in Developing Countries
M&E
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
Satellite Earth Observation to Address Data Gaps in Urban Sustainability
Urban Sustainability
19 October 2022

Satellite Earth Observation to Address Data Gaps in Urban Sustainability

Satellite Earth Observation (EO) supports International Financial Institutions (IFIs), such as the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and African Development Bank (AfDB), with their urban sustainability programmes. International … 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
Alumni testimonial: “this is what Space can do to support developing countries”
12 September 2022

Alumni testimonial: “this is what Space can do to support developing countries”

“How can Space support developing countries in a sustainable way?” – here is one of the main questions that, Iñigo Alonso Etxebarria, former Impact Analyst Intern at the European Space … Read more
Lessons from the EO4SD initiative
16 June 2022

Lessons from the EO4SD initiative

Reposted from World Bank Blogs (Initially published on May 24, 2022) Over the last decade, the European Space Agency (ESA) has been supporting the use and integration of satellite-based environmental information for … Read more
ESA’s GDA programme invests in understanding and generating impact
M&E
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
Global Development Assistance Urban Sustainability has officially kicked off
Urban Sustainability
17 May 2022

Global Development Assistance Urban Sustainability has officially kicked off

ESA’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) programme is a global partnership to mainstream the use of Earth observation (EO) into development operations, in cooperation with World Bank and Asian Development Bank. … Read more