Social Inclusion Kick-start

The European Space Agency’s Social Inclusion Kick-Start Activity offers support and funding to companies looking to develop space empowered services to support social inclusion activities anywhere on Earth.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Register by completing online questionnaire on ESA-STAR Registration (minimum ‘light registration’)
2. Download the official tender documentation (Invitation to Tender) and create ‘Bidder Restricted Area’ via EMITS ‘AO 8872’ from 20 April 2018
3. Write your proposal and obtain Letter of Support from National Delegation, if needed (see above)
4. Submit your proposal via ESA-STAR Tendering by 1 June 2018 13:00 CET

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We’re looking for teams that have identified a market opportunity that’s attractive and has real potential for engaging customers. Motivation, business experience and domain expertise are key.

But most importantly of all, we want to hear business ideas that are commercially viable, technically possible and involve either space tech or data; such as satellite Earth observation, satellite navigation, satellite communications, spaceflight technologies.

KEY FOCUS AREA

Social exclusion, or social marginalization, is the process in which individuals or groups of people (i.e. communities) are systematically blocked from or denied full access to a number of rights, opportunities and resources (e.g.  education, healthcare, employment, civic engagement and democratic participation) that are normally available to members of other communities.

The absence of peace and security, including personal security, is likely the most important determinant of social exclusion. Other determinants include:

• Poor education
• Discrimination
• Poverty
• Lack of civil engagement
• Lack of citizenship or residence
• Lack of food security

Accordingly, Social Inclusion, the converse of social exclusion, is affirmative action to change the circumstances and habits that lead to (or have led to) social exclusion. E.g. the World Bank defines social inclusion as the process of improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of people, disadvantaged on the basis of their identity, to take part in society.

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer funding and support to companies for business case assessment and development of new space empowered services for organic practices and the preservation of the environment.

• Zero-equity funding up to €60K per activity
• A personalised ESA consultant.
• Technical & commercial guidance.
• Access to our network of partners.
• Credibility of the ESA brand.

THE VALUE OF SPACE FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION

Social exclusion is most severe in rural and remote areas that typically suffer from a lack of local terrestrial infrastructures, limiting de-facto the availability and/or access to a wide range of social services. In this respect, SatCom, SatEO and SatNav assets are  important enablers  as:

• Satellite Communication can overcome a lack or an insufficient  reliability of terrestrial communications means via the provision of an independent communication network capable of enabling a wide range of social services, such as, but not limited to (see also examples in previous paragraph):
  
  
• Wi-Fi Hot-Spots for refugees and immigrants;
• Education platforms, eHealth and electronic voting;
•  Cellular backhauling.
  
  
• Satellite Earth Observation can support other social services, such as but not limited to food security, farming and related emergency managements (e.g. floods, fires, droughts).
• Satellite Navigation can enable or enhance several of the above mentioned services by adding the geo-localisation component to identify,  locate and track things (e.g. crops, sensors or streets without names). 

AUTHORISATION OF FUNDING

For the Thematic Call on "Social Inclusion", the following ESA Member States have already made funding available: Germany and Norway.

 In case your company/organisation resides in another country participating to the programme, you have to request a Letter of Support from your National Delegation.

WEBINAR

The slides for this webinar are at the bottom of the page, in the downloads section.

The webinar recording will be uploaded shortly.

Flyer

Download our flyer with only the key information here.