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Stories

Voices and success stories from the GDA community
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