Envision a future where everyone, especially policymakers and decision-makers, can access a Digital Twin of Earth. This advanced tool could be pivotal in addressing climate change and weather extremes. Consider the types of services it might offer, who would benefit from them, and their accessibility. Would these services be universally available, catered to specific needs, or both? What kind of data would be integral to their operation?
This challenge invites you to conceptualise a service powered by DestinE, drawing inspiration from a narrative set in 2050. We seek innovative ideas that, while not necessarily feasible today, are imaginatively rich and could pave the way to a better future. Join us in envisioning a remarkable 2050, armed with the solutions to today’s challenges.
About the DESP Challenge:
DestinE, a groundbreaking initiative led by the European Commission and implemented by ECMWF, ESA, and Eumetsat (3E), aims to create a precise global digital twin of Earth. Utilising Earth Observation data, Big Data, and Data Lakes, DestinE aspires to craft a Digital Twin of Earth to assist in climate change mitigation and extreme weather response efforts (https://destination-earth.eu/).
A key objective is to foster a community of stakeholders and visionaries to co-create the vision for the digital twin. As the technology develops, community engagement in visualising future possibilities and service mock-ups is crucial to shaping DestinE’s trajectory.
In this exclusively online challenge, participants will dive deep into the realm of DestinE, guided by the expertise of the 3E members. They will explore and envision how DestinE could beneficially alter the lives of its users. Participants are encouraged to collaborate in teams or work solo to craft visualisations and preliminary mock-ups of potential DestinE services, imagining a bridge from imaginative concepts to future realities across Europe. Submissions must be original and adhere to a Creative Commons license, ensuring respect for intellectual property.
Awards will celebrate the most compelling proposals and visualisations, evaluating their coherence with the DestinE mission, their potential to enrich human lives and the environment, and the ingenuity of the mock-ups. While the technical feasibility and readiness of these ideas will be assessed, immediate practicality is not a prerequisite. This opens the door for participants to prioritise creativity, narrative crafting, and presentation prowess over technical problem-solving, encouraging a broad spectrum of innovative ideas.
Awards:
The three winning proposals will be awarded credits for DESP, equivalent to 2000 Euros.
Their team members will be granted early access to the platform upon its launch.
Winners and runners-up will have the chance to showcase their proposals, narratives, and imaginative concepts at a public community event at the end of May. Additionally, they will be considered for inclusion in future DestinE community activities.
Timeline:
- 20 March 2024 – Challenge Kickoff
- 21 April 2024 – Submission deadline
- Early May 2024 – Winner announcement
- End of May 2024 – Public presentation of winners
Find out more and apply here: 2nd DestinE Service Platform Innovation Prize – Ideating the Impact of the DESP - Destination Earth (destination-earth.eu)