Projects supporting the integration of EU Space data and services into vertical market segments should focus on one of the following selected priority areas (and identify which area is being addressed in the proposal):

• Energy (renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy infrastructure) In the face of energy supply shortages and climate change, the demand for renewable energy is rapidly increasing. Driving this demand is the fact that renewables are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning the world towards a sustainable future. Moreover, energy efficiency initiatives aim to optimize energy consumption across various sectors, from manufacturing to residential spaces, fostering a more sustainable and responsible approach to energy use. To expedite this transition, space data and services enable energy stakeholders to make informed decisions about the deployment and management of renewable energy infrastructure and to gain insights into energy consumption patterns across diverse sectors and geographic regions. Examples of downstream innovation in this context is the use of GNSS and EO technologies to enhance energy infrastructure resilience and efficiency in smart grids by adapting to real-time demand changes or to facilitate the monitoring and management of electricity distribution networks.
• Climate adaptation and Environmental footprint reduction: The implementation of effective Climate adaptation measures can foster climate resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change, in communities, ecosystems and infrastructure. GNSS and EO technologies provide accurate and up to date data for assessing climate risks, prioritizing adaptation measures and allocate resources effectively to reduce environmental footprint, enabling a deeper understanding of climate change impacts and informing effective mitigation strategies. This includes the development of innovative downstream applications to prepare and respond effectively, improving disasters preparedness through early warning systems for extreme events, strengthening biodiversity and ecosystems services, promote afforestation and reforestation, manage water resources and water allocation more efficiently, implement climate resilient agriculture practices. Moreover, space-based solutions play a crucial role to reduce resource consumption, environmental impact, pollution and ecological degradation, fostering industry sustainability practices. Proposals should address one or more of the aforementioned areas, leverage digital tools based on innovative technologies such as AI/Big Data/Quantum/Blockchain/Digital Twins, etc., explore synergies with Satcom, as well as ensure the involvement of private sector as end users for the proposed solution and commercial exploitation.
• Green financing and insurance: Green financing involves the allocation of funds to support environmentally sustainable projects. Concurrently, green insurance offers coverage for risks tied to sustainability, climate change, and eco-friendly activities. These insurance products incentivize responsible practices, providing protection against environmental challenges. Both green financing and insurance contribute to fostering sustainability by directing financial resources and risk management strategies toward initiatives that promote positive environmental and social outcomes. Space technologies can play a pivotal role by providing accurate data to ensure transparency, accountability and risk management for the assessment and monitoring of environmental projects funded by green financing.
• Liveable cities of the future: The share of the world’s population living in cities is constantly increasing. Currently governments have the goal to move cities towards a better liveable future. Tomorrow cities can drive and take advantage of innovation and new downstream space technologies as they are the biggest digital platform. Solutions should develop space-based applications and technologies with focus on commercial exploitation for the modernisation of cities. Examples of areas to be analysed are smart waste and waste water managements, drinking water management, green constructions, urban green, urban mobility and public transports, urban logistics, health and well-being, public safety, sustainable tourism, as well as the monitoring of urbanisation patterns (e.g. land coverage, urban sprawl, heat islands), assessing the link between urban and peri urban/rural areas and interdependencies of cities with their regional areas, improving disasters preparedness and preventive/proactive urban planning, supporting investment in more climate resilient infrastructures etc. In parallel with modernisation of liveable cities another important objective is to preserve the past and valorise the cultural heritage trough monitoring sites mitigating the effects of mass tourism, climate change, subsidence and pollution. Synergies with satellite communications can also be explored. Proposals are expected to ensure the involvement of cities’ authorities as either end users or regulatory authorities supporting the uptake of the proposed innovative solutions.

Each proposal should address only one of the four areas outlined above, which must be clearly identified.