Harnessing data from space to shape a more resilient and sustainable future, that’s the mission driving CopPhil, a flagship initiative under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
The programme helps national and local institutions across the Philippines turn Copernicus Earth Observation (EO) data into practical insights for climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and smarter urban planning.
But CopPhil is about more than EO data. Through this initiative, the European Union, the European Space Agency (ESA), and its local partners PhilSA and DOST, are placing people, knowledge, and long-term cooperation at the centre. By making Copernicus data accessible, usable, and meaningful, CopPhil is empowering evidence-based policymaking and nurturing local capacity for innovation and sustainability.
That same spirit and commitment to capacity building now extends to the EU-Copernicus Youth Challenge, organised by the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in collaboration with the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, and ESA. his ideathon aims to showcase how Earth Observation data can empower young innovators to translate its insights into action.
This challenge invites young innovators from the Philippines and the wider Asia-Pacific region to develop real-world policy solutions for the region’s most pressing challenges using Copernicus and CopPhil data.
The EU-Copernicus Youth Challenge
The challenge forms part of the 11th Asia-Pacific Space Generation Workshop (AP-SGW), taking place on 15-16 November 2025 in Cebu. The workshop, an official side event of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31), brings together students and young professionals from across the region to propose ideas which address real policy and sustainability challenges using EO data.
Within the AP-SGW , the ideathon functions as one of four official working groups and focuses on policy design and governance. Participants are tasked with developing integrated concepts which link EO with public policy outcomes, mirroring CopPhil’s own approach to connecting technical capacity and governance.
Teams are expected to display how satellite data can inform policy design and implementation strategies. Each proposal must combine a policy mechanism with a sustainable implementation model. By grounding their work in real Earth Observation data, participants learn how to connect scientific insight with policy needs.
All entries must show regional collaboration by identifying potential users in both the Philippines and at least one other Asia-Pacific country. This approach reflects CopPhil’s wider role as an enabler: opening access to EO data, building literacy in its use, and encouraging collaborative solutions which promote the integration of EO solutions into governance best practices across the Asia-Pacific.
Copernicus and CopPhil data driving innovation
At the heart of the challenge lies Copernicus, Europe’s Earth Observation programme, led by the European Commission in partnership with ESA, whose full, free, and open datasets provide detailed information about the planet’s land, oceans, and atmosphere. In the Philippines, this capability is extended through CopPhil, managed by the European Union Delegation to the Philippines and implemented by ESA in collaboration with PhilSA and DOST. The programme co-develops EO services with local partners for national use and to support Filipino institutions in applying data to local governance contexts.
Youth delegates will be organised into teams who will then propose solutions leveraging datasets which have been developed under CopPhil. These include ground motion monitoring, land cover, forest, and crop mapping, as well as coastal and marine ecosystem monitoring data.
The competition’s three thematic tracks Climate Resilience, Marine and Coastal Management, and Urban Planning and Smart Cities, reflect the same priority areas supported by CopPhil in the Philippines.
Masterclasses: building technical awareness and policy perspective
In the weeks leading up to the event, participants will be attending a series of masterclasses led by experts from the CopPhil team and the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI). These sessions are designed to support the development of their final proposals by guiding participants on how to transform EO data into meaningful, policy-relevant outcomes.
The first session, held on 11 October, introduced the Copernicus programme, its governance mechanisms, and EO use cases, showing how satellite data supports climate resilience and hazards management. The second one, on 18 October, focused on CopPhil’s technical infrastructure and EO services, explaining how data is processed and adapted for local governance needs. The upcoming third session, on 25 October, will explore space policy and public impact, guiding participants on how EO insights can inform policymaking and regional cooperation.
Together, these masterclasses prepare participants to approach the ideathon with both technical awareness and policy perspective. Thus, ensuring that the ideas developed during the ideathon are grounded in a clear understanding of how Copernicus and CopPhil data can inform governance across the Asia-Pacific.
Towards impact: live pitches and ideathon legacy
The ideathon will culminate in a live final pitching session on 16 November in Cebu, where finalists will present their proposals before a panel of judges composed of EO experts as well as policy and international cooperation practitioners.
The judging process is divided into two phases and designed to capture both the strength of the ideas as well as their real-world applicability. The first phase focuses on concept development, assessing how well each proposal aligns with the challenge themes, demonstrates originality, integrates Copernicus EO data, and communicates ideas clearly. The second phase evaluates implementation, looking at feasibility, policy relevance, regional impact, the integration of EO data into practical frameworks, and the overall quality of the final pitch.
This two-stage evaluation ensures that both creativity and feasibility are recognised. It highlights not only how well teams can interpret data, but also how effectively they can link it to governance and public benefit. The most promising proposals will be awarded dedicated mentorship sessions from a pool of experts, as well as the chance to be featured in CopPhil channels.
For CopPhil and its partners, the ideathon represents a practical demonstration of how access to EO data and technical mentorship can lead to actionable solutions. It also underscores the value of youth engagement in shaping policies for sustainability and resilience. This supports the long-term vision of the Global Gateway strategy by building sustainable, locally driven capacities which connect Europe and Southeast Asia through shared knowledge and collaboration.
Follow the ideathon here: EU-Copernicus Youth Challenge: Transforming Earth Observation into Action for the Asia-Pacific | Hackathon | DoraHacks
Background Information
As a flagship and unique programme of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, CopPhil is designed to harness digital resources and space technology for sustainable development and to support innovations in research and business in close cooperation with government partners.
CopPhil is managed by the European Union Delegation to the Philippines. It is implemented by the European Space Agency (ESA) in partnership with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST). In addition to the development of the Earth Observation pilot services, the activities of CopPhil include the establishment of a Copernicus Data Centre and IT infrastructure as well as awareness-raising and knowledge and skills transfer related to Copernicus data and information.
