Pioneering Destination Earth for a Sustainable Future: Large-Scale Pilots and Demonstrators

Di cosa tratta questo bando?

The topic funds large-scale pilots that use the Destination Earth digital twin system and AI to test climate adaptation and risk mitigation solutions with public authorities in at least three countries.

Cosa finanzia questo bando?

Scope

The topic funds large-scale pilots and demonstrators that let researchers, expert and non-expert users and decision-makers experiment with the existing Destination Earth system and put it to wide use through new methods, tools and services. It also builds on the AI Continent Action Plan by developing the data lab infrastructure around Destination Earth, federating data from AI Factories and linking it to the Common European Data Spaces.

Aspects proposals should cover

• Plan, design and run large-scale pilots in critical sectors linked to public policy, tackling real challenges in climate change adaptation and risk mitigation at European, national, regional and local level, for example climate-related health effects or changes in energy, agri-food or mobility.
• Improve and couple models used in different sectors, and test adaptation and risk mitigation measures in real-life scenarios.
• Contribute to new AI-enabled digital twins by using the Data Labs of the AI Factories and integrating them into the Destination Earth system.
• Co-design and test pilots in at least three Member States and/or Associated Countries with scientists, AI developers, policy experts and decision-makers, integrating place-based governance and context-specific data.
• Follow Destination Earth standards for interoperability, use its platform where possible, and include a scalability plan developed with public authorities to secure long-term funding, governance and policy commitments.

Proposals should show a credible path to collaboration with the Destination Earth implementing entities (ESA, ECMWF and EUMETSAT) and other key initiatives such as Mercator Ocean International, and build on earlier Horizon Europe projects. Involvement of SMEs and start-ups active in AI or deep tech is strongly encouraged. Activities are expected to reach TRL 5 or higher by the end of the project.

Expected outcomes

• Widely tested research-to-action solutions for complex cross-sectoral problems caused or worsened by climate change.
• Innovative use of AI through further development of the Destination Earth data lab infrastructure.
• Solutions co-developed with end users in several countries and integrated into policy, preparedness and response.

Quando scade il bando?

15 giugno 2027 (221 giorni)

15 June 2027 (single-stage submission).