The aim of this action is to familiarize environmental agencies with the Copernicus program and to enable them to use remote sensing data for their special fields of application. Therefore, a modular training focusing on the specific monitoring needs and reporting obligations of environmental agencies is to be developed and elaborated. This includes the development of a training course, including the creation of target group-oriented teaching materials and web-seminars. Beginners in particular should acquire a first sound knowledge in the areas of remote sensing (especially Copernicus data & services), and relevant applications. Practical exercises are intended to make it easier for beginners to understand and access the data and thereby reduce inhibition thresholds.

Environmental agencies are also showing great interest in the use of Copernicus data and services. However, so far there are only a limited number of pilot projects and no widespread operational use. These projects have often brought the expertise for processing remote sensing data into the authority. At the end of the projects, continuation and implementation is often not possible (this may have different reasons) and the know-how is lost again.

At present, there is a lack of compact and, above all, application-oriented training opportunities specifically designed for users from environmental agencies with little or no experience in satellite remote sensing, data processing and analysis. Potential users must be introduced to the data and services with good guidance, especially in order to be able to identify new application possibilities in their thematic areas.

In collaboration with environmental agencies from Germanys federal states and with input from the Environment Agency Austria and the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), training units and modules will be developed under this action, which integrate real (and simple) use cases in order to give impulses for the future use of Copernicus data.

The training materials should enable the authorities to conduct their own training courses (train the trainer) and to adapt and further develop these to their own needs. The course material will be modular and contain sections on different areas of application, e.g. land monitoring, climate, climate adaptation, atmosphere, water monitoring, environmental compliance etc. The teaching material will be responsive to different learning levels and styles (adaptive learning concept).

In addition to the content aspects, remote sensing basics, the possibilities of data access, software (e.g. SNAP and QGIS) and technical issues of data processing (e.g. CODE-DE, RUS, DIAS) will be trained and pointed out. For this purpose, existing training material (e.g. from Sapiens) will be used so that the thematic focus of the PTEA modules can be fully on real-life use cases. Thereby, a direct link to the monitoring and reporting tasks of the authorities will be established which goes beyond basic knowledge.

GFZ will coordinate all activities. The first task will be to develop a concept. The content requirements for the training courses are to be developed in a workshop together with thematic experts and supported by representatives of the target groups. Based on the outcomes, the thematic content is developed and converted into e-learning modules. The learning content of the modules is conveyed in modular online workshops. As part of a test phase, two e-learning modules are to be carried out. Conceptual and content improvements will be made based on feedback from pilot users. Afterwards, further training courses will be held as part of the implementation phase. Parallel to the test and implementation phase, there will be an 8-months evaluation phase which ensures that user feedback is collected, evaluated and utilized for continuous improvement of the training concept and material. Partners of FPCUP, Relay and Academy members will be asked to give feedback on the training modules.

Output and Results

• development of 3 comprehensive thematic modules (based on target group requirements)
• e-learning workshop concept with adaptive learning material within the specified time frame of this measure
• online publication of the material (e.g. via https://www.copernicus-user-uptake.eu/resources/training-materials.de, www.d-copernicus.de) and making it available free of charge for any other use