This bilateral initiative between CIIMAR and The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) has as objectives to strengthen bilateral relations between Portuguese and Norwegian scientists through exchange of experience and knowledge in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) remote sensing techniques applied to the mapping of coastal biological communities. This initiative will also promote future partnerships for joint research projects and disseminate the acquired knowledge to the scientific community and stakeholders involved in the coastal resources management.

“Technology development for drone-based coastal observations” will foster cooperation between researchers of both institutions by identifying synergies for advancing knowledge in this field of research. Therefore, it will allow the exchange of experience and technology between both research teams (CIIMAR and NIVA) and will transfer that knowledge to the scientific community and stakeholders involved on the coastal resources management. The activities to be implemented include technical visits of each team to the partners’ institution and a 3-days training action open to the academic and stakeholders’ community of both countries.

The expected outcomes are the development of new methods and tools for aerial images classification; publication of scientific papers reviewing and comparing these methodologies; and the design of future joint research projects either in the scope of EEA Grants or other programmes. Additionally, protocols will be developed for planning and implementing missions using drones (UAV’s) for coastal environmental monitoring.

The knowledge and experience acquired during this collaboration will provide the stakeholders with new tools relevant for supporting the management and protection of coastal ecosystems.

Through the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are partners, in the internal market, of the Member States of the European Union. As a way of promoting a continuous and balanced strengthening of the economic and trade relations, the parties of the European Economic Area Agreement have established a Multiannual Financial Mechanism, known as the EEA Grants. The EEA Grants have as objectives to reduce the economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area, and to strengthen the bilateral relations between beneficiary and donor countries. For the period 2014-2021, was agreed the total contribution of €2.8 billion for 15 beneficiary countries. Portugal will benefit from a budget of € 102.7 million. Learn more at eeagrants.gov.pt