Advancing South Africa’s Earth Observation and Space Ecosystem through Partnerships, Innovation, Knowledge Exchange, and Community Collaboration
The 2026 NEOSS Communities of Practice (CoP) Integrated Workshop and Training will take place from 27 to 28 July 2026 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Tshwane, South Africa.
The workshop aims to strengthen South Africa’s Earth observation and space ecosystem by supporting national efforts in the development and application of space systems and Earth observation technologies. It contributes to the mandate of the National Earth Observation and Space Secretariat (NEOSS) by promoting coordination, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and equitable access to data, platforms, and opportunities across the sector.
Bringing together stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and civil society, the workshop will provide a collaborative platform to strengthen Communities of Practice, foster cross-sector partnerships, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices.
The event will further advance capacity-building initiatives through platforms such as the SA-GEO Knowledge Hub and the Marketplace, while promoting community-led innovation, co-creation of knowledge, and collaborative problem-solving. Through these engagements, the workshop seeks to enhance South Africa’s ability to leverage Earth intelligence for socio-economic development, environmental sustainability, and evidence-based decision-making.
27 July 2026 – Capacity-Building Training
28 July 2026 – Integrated Communities of Practice (CoP) Workshop
Reasons to attend
Attending the 2026 NEOSS CoP Integrated Workshop and Training offers valuable opportunities for the Earth Observations (EO) and space community:
- Gain insights into national progress by engaging with the latest developments of the SAGEO Knowledge Hub, designed to support decision-making, data access, and knowledge sharing across sectors in South Africa.
- Review and reflect on the EO Maturity Indicator (EOMI) findings, and contribute to shaping the national response to identified gaps in EO infrastructure, data use, engagement, and policy alignment.
- Contribute South African resources (datasets, tools, case studies, platforms) to enrich the national Knowledge Hub and ensure that locally relevant content is represented and accessible.
- Co-develop Knowledge Packages tailored to national priorities and user needs, fostering inclusive and practical EO solutions grounded in local expertise and context.
- Strengthen collaboration and coherence across the CoPs by connecting with experts, institutions, and practitioners working across EO and space domains—paving the way for more integrated and impactful actions.
- Help shape the national EO and Space agenda by participating in discussions that will inform next steps for CoPs, guide future engagements, and support greater uptake of EO and space applications for development.