A Market for GMES in Europe and Its Regions - The Graz Roadmap for GMES Service Development

Brussels, 16 May 2006

Full text of Document 9182/06
Suite of documents 9182/06

­ Conference report

The Austrian EU Presidency organised the expert conference "A market for GMES in Europe and its regions - the Graz dialogue" in Graz, Austria, on 19 and 20 April 2006. Over 200 experts from all relevant stakeholders prepared recommendations for the further development of GMES in Europe.

The Austrian EU Presidency submits herewith to the Council this consolidated expert report in view of the future elaboration of the European Space Programme.

ANNEX

The Graz Roadmap for GMES service development

1. Road to success

The success and long-term sustainability of GMES service development can only be achieved through a user-driven approach. A new step should be reached with the setting-up by mid-2007 of wider, more open and permanent dialogue with the largest possible user community for each service.

2. Public engine

GMES core services are essentially a public infrastructure for the benefits of European citizens and therefore requires adequate public investments. Consequently, leadership by the public sector is expected.

Funding for the needed investments for the space component under ESA's responsibility will be shared between ESA and the EC.

In situ observation and measurement infrastructures should be funded, operated and maintained by Member States and their regional or local entities.

3. Relevant governance

The success for effective and user-accessible GMES services relies on a well identified and balanced governance structure which should be effective, in a step-wise manner, as of 2008. Member States should reflect on the set up of corresponding national data and service interfaces.

4. Tailored services

The fast-track services led by the European Commission should be open to all EU Member States as well as to all ESA Member States for civilian use. Additional services such as atmosphere monitoring, security and cross-cutting thematic areas such as mountain regions should be implemented as soon as resources permit. Enhanced in situ national and regional observations and data processing and modelling systems required to sustain GMES services should be supported in synergy with the European level. The European Union, through i.a. the Commission, the Council and the Committee of the Regions, should identify users' needs and pool their resources in close association with service providers such as EUMETSAT or the European Environment Agency.

5. Data access

The European Commission leads the debate in the context of the INSPIRE Directive on information infrastructure, data access policies and standards definition. In this context, the line should be drawn between freely-available and pay-per-service. Decisions pertaining to the adoption of a consolidated European-wide purchasing scheme should be taken.

6. Involving the users

Clearly defined users' needs will be the basis of all GMES components, in particular the development of the space component, led by ESA and concerned Member States. Improved definition of the roles and contributions of all stakeholders is needed by mid-2007. This approach will enable the identification of innovative funding schemes, resulting business models and also risk sharing. The stakeholders include i.a. the relevant EU institutions and agencies, ESA, EUMETSAT, Members States (with a particular emphasis on the new EU member countries), space and information industries, in situ systems' integrators.

7. Need for awareness

The active participation of all Member States is requested to enhance the awareness on GMES advantages. Grassroots information campaigns on available and potential future services and cost benefits appear necessary throughout Europe, taking into account national service delivery

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