On November 18th and 19th, 2024, the Kick-Off Meeting of the FOCAL project took place in Darmstadt, marking the official launch of this initiative, which includes the participation of the Plan4all association.

The FOCAL project, part of the HORIZON-RIA funding framework, is a 36-month endeavor involving 15 partners from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Belgium, Spain, and Greece.

The primary goal of the FOCAL project is to develop a cutting-edge platform that combines intelligent workflow management with high-performance computing infrastructure, including advanced data management, and connectivity to artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This platform will enable fast and efficient training and validation of AI models while supporting the design of workflows to enhance understanding of local-scale climate change impacts.

The project focuses on two pilot projects: urban planning and forestry. The forestry pilot will be implemented in the Czech Republic with the active involvement of the Plan4All association.

In addition, the FOCAL project will generate new insights into essential Earth system processes by integrating advanced remote sensing technologies with innovative methodologies. By leveraging a diverse range of remote sensing datasets, the FOCAL project will improve climate modeling, deliver more accurate climate predictions and provide a more comprehensive understanding of interactions within Earth systems.