Earth observation capacity building activities - The Czech Republic case study

Since the Czech Republic joined ESA in 2008, the Charles University in Prague, the Scientica Agency, the Czech Space Office and the European Space Agency (ESA) have started several joint activities for the promotion of EO techniques and applications, in order to create awareness and build up capacity and skills for the use of remote sensing in the country. Main activities are focused on the education of young generations, who should become from their early age naturally familiar with EO/GIS tools and data in order to be eager to use them later in their own research or in their profession, whenever making use of geoinformation. Capacity building activities have been oriented on the cooperation with the potential users of EO data and technologies as well, e.g. institutions of nature protection, public administration services. Several joint quick-win projects have been carried out for implementing EO into the decision-making processes at these institutions. Quick-win projects have been based on the close cooperation between EO experts and public servants in the Czech Republic.