Climate Resilience Connect

Innovate for a Greener Future with Space Technology

Join us for Climate Resilience Connect, an exclusive networking event to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland on 15 May from 18:00 - 20:00 CEST.

Hosted by the European Space Agency's Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme, this evening gathering over drinks offers an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, share insights, and explore funding opportunities for projects addressing climate change.

Event Details:

Date & Time: 15 May, 18:00 - 20:00

Location: Auditorium Bugnion at the Fondation de l’Hermitage, Lausanne, Switzerland

Cost: No charge for registered participants

Why Attend? 

This event aims to foster connections and collaboration among individuals and organisations interested in applying for the ESA BASS forthcoming Coastal Resilience to Climate Change initiative, scheduled for launch in June 2025. Further details can be found below.

We are pleased to announce funding opportunities for teams developing solutions that address climate change using space technologies or data. We invite start-ups and businesses to explore innovative solutions related to coastal resilience. Participation is encouraged for those currently using space technology such as satellite Earth observation, satellite navigation, or satellite communication, as well as those interested in adopting these technologies in the near future. Potential partners working in fields related to coastal resilience who are seeking advanced solutions are also welcome.

More about ESA BASS

ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) is dedicated to helping businesses harness space technology to address challenges on Earth. We support European companies of all sizes and across various sectors by providing financial support, mentoring, and access to our extensive networks. Our goal is to foster innovative solutions that use satellite navigation, communication, and Earth observation to promote a sustainable future.

ESA BASS typically funds Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects with budgets ranging from €50,000 to €3 Million. The teams conducting these activities retain ownership of the intellectual property, and ESA's support is provided on a zero-equity basis, with funding rates between 50% and 80%. We welcome teams to submit proposals at any time and also organise dedicated calls on specific topics. We are planning to launch a call on the topic of Coastal Resilience in June 2025. 

More about the ESA BASS Coastal Resilience Call 

ESA BASS is set to launch a funding initiative focused on Coastal Resilience in June 2025. This call for proposals aims to support the development of services that leverage space technology to address the significant challenges posed by climate change to coastal cities, rural coastal regions, and ports. Companies will be invited to conduct Feasibility Studies or Demonstration Projects that tackle the increasing risks associated with rising temperatures, sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events. ESA BASS will encourage the development of monitoring and early warning systems, water management, urban planning, and nature-based solutions, recognising the need for comprehensive adaptation and resilience strategies.

Solutions can target any region globally (not just Europe) and must incorporate innovative technologies such as satellite Earth observation, satellite communications, and high-power computing to enhance climate resilience and adaptation efforts in coastal regions. Each successful study or project is expected to receive funding ranging from €50,000 to €3 million, with ESA covering 50%-80% of the costs, depending on the scope. The projects will run for a duration of 6 months to 2 years. We have partnered with cities, organisations, and corporate players who are interested in piloting some of the developed solutions. ESA BASS can facilitate direct introductions or connect teams to ESA communities such as the bioeconomy, smart cities, or maritime taskforces. 

Space-Enabled Solutions for the Future of Logistics

Venue: ASI Headquarters, Rome 

Date & Time: 8 May 2025, 10:00 - 16:15 CEST

Cost: No charge to registered participants

 

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Coast Guard, in cooperation with the Italian Space Agency (ASI), hosted the ‘Space-Enabled Solutions for the Future of Logistics' workshop on 8 May 2025. The event, which took place at the ASI Headquarters in Rome, was an opportunity to explore the logistics sector's landscape and priorities in relation to operational efficiency, resilience and sustainability and to investigate possible roles for current and emerging space data and services in addressing the sector’s needs.  

The workshop presented different perspectives from transport operators, infrastructure managers, institutional authorities, and other stakeholders, discussing and analysing requirements and trends with a focus on maritime, road, and rail, including multimodal challenges. Delegates explored opportunities for innovation addressing logistics services such as automation, IoT, fleet management, AI, equipment condition monitoring and warehouse optimisation.  

During the discussions with key stakeholders, several use cases were identified. These address critical challenges and unlock opportunities for potential solutions and services enabled by space data that could be supported by ESA and ASI in dedicated calls for proposals.  

This event was attended by institutional representatives, logistics operators, transport and maritime stakeholders involved in sustainable operations within the logistics sector, space and ICT solutions developers, service providers, logistics insurance representatives, and industry representatives.

Agenda 

10:00 – 11:00    Registration



11:00 – 11:30    Welcome and Introductions

• Giancarlo N. Varacalli - Head of Telecommunications and Navigation Office, ASI

• Geraldine Naja - ESA Director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness

• Captain (ITCG) Pierluigi Milella - Italian Coast Guard, Safety of Navigation and Maritime Security Department, Handling of dangerous goods, Marine casualties and Port State Control Office, Head Office

11:30 – 12:30    Logistics Trends and Future Directions

Moderator: Enrico Spinelli - Applications Engineer, ESA

• Matteo Prantner - Italian Coast Guard Commander, National Technical Coordinator for Vessel Traffic Monitoring Systems and Single Window 

• Edoardo D'Andrea - Transportation Policy Officer, CONFITARMA

• Sergio Prete - Commissioner Extraordinary of the Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea

• Paola Cossu - ALICE Board Member and CEO of FIT Consulting

12:30 – 14:00    Lunch

 

14:00 – 14:30    Innovative Technologies and Services for the Logistics Sector

 

ESA and ASI Programmes Introduction

• Rita Rinaldo - Head of Projects and Studies Implementation Division, ESA - View presentation

• Mauro Cardone - Head of Navigation Sector, ASI - View presentation

14:30 - 16:00    Industry Panel

Moderator: Adriana G. Castriotta - Telecommunications and Navigation Office, ASI

• Keynote Speakers: Marco Brancati - Senior Vice President of Leonardo Space and Giuseppe Tomasicchio - Senior Manager, Telespazio - View presentation

• Andrea Condotta - ALICE Vice Chair and Representative of Gruber Logistics - View presentation

• Frederick Ronse, CEO, Ovinto - View presentation

• Mirko Antonini - CEO, SpaceExe (in partnership with Engineering Ingegneria Informatica) - View presentation

• Paul Rizos - Senior Business Analyst, Darwin Innovation Group - View presentation

• Paolo Pagano - Director of CNIT Laboratory at the Port of Livorno - View presentation

16:00 – 16:15    Summary and Wrap Up Session - ESA and ASI