The Symposium
ABOUT NEREUS
NEREUS - Network of European Regions Using Space Technologies is a NETWORK dedicated to Regions that wish to optimize the use of space applications for the delivery of efficient public policies for the benefit of citizens.
The network serves as a crucial link between the use of space technologies and the specific needs of regional ecosystems, covering various application domains.
Regions, as key users and primary buyers of these technologies, play a fundamental role in the development of the space data sector (primarily Copernicus).
NEREUS actively promotes the adoption of space services, demonstrating their benefits to various user groups, implementing its mission through strategic pillars that include Political Dialogue, Interregional Cooperation, and the analysis of technological trends with Public Awareness.
In particular, NEREUS helps Regions leverage data and signals from the European Union's flagship space programmes, such as Copernicus and EGNOS/Galileo, transforming them into useful information for the territory.
The network serves as a crucial link between the use of space technologies and the specific needs of regional ecosystems, covering various application domains.
Regions, as key users and primary buyers of these technologies, play a fundamental role in the development of the space data sector (primarily Copernicus).
NEREUS actively promotes the adoption of space services, demonstrating their benefits to various user groups, implementing its mission through strategic pillars that include Political Dialogue, Interregional Cooperation, and the analysis of technological trends with Public Awareness.
In particular, NEREUS helps Regions leverage data and signals from the European Union's flagship space programmes, such as Copernicus and EGNOS/Galileo, transforming them into useful information for the territory.
Rationale for the NEREUS Annual European Symposium
The NEREUS European Symposium was established as an annual event with the primary objective of enhancing interregional cooperation and networking among NEREUS Regions and their partners across Europe.
These symposia generally constitute an essential platform for:
These symposia generally constitute an essential platform for:
- Interactive Dialogue: Facilitating a dynamic debate on future needs and trends in key sectors (such as Agriculture, Tourism, Blue Economy, Civil Protection in previous symposia) and on how space data and services can offer innovative solutions for the market.
- Joint Application Development of Technologies: Fostering connection and cooperation among regional innovation ecosystems in the EU to co-develop new technologies (or their applications), address pressing social challenges, and bring them to the market.
- Strategic Alignment: Discussing the impact of the new EU Space Programme (EU Space Act) and the strategic programmes of individual regions, to increase the competitiveness of stakeholders and optimize the functioning of individual ecosystems.
Objectives of the Bologna symposium and target audience
The 2026 European Symposium, hosted by the Emilia-Romagna Region, is structured over two days, combining frontal sessions and interactive networking, and including a B2G moment.
This year's Symposium places a strong emphasis on the strategic role of regions in Europe's digital and green transitions, focusing on how the use of space data, managed and powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), and High-Performance Computing (HPC), can reinforce Europe's technological sovereignty and resilience and it will highlight the importance of robust data governance frameworks, trusted infrastructures, and coordinated policy action to unlock the full value of Earth Observation and space-based services for public authorities.
The goal of the Symposium in Bologna is to explore what could be considered the "perfect model" of Space Data Management for empowering the "typical" Regional Geographic Data Platform. While such a model varies across ecosystems - and, in practice, may not truly exist - sharing experiences across regions and insights from diverse stakeholders will provide valuable benefits for all participants.
A New Interactive Format
To move beyond traditional conferences, the Symposium is designed to combine plenary sessions with highly interactive networking opportunities. The core of the event will feature:
This year's Symposium places a strong emphasis on the strategic role of regions in Europe's digital and green transitions, focusing on how the use of space data, managed and powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), and High-Performance Computing (HPC), can reinforce Europe's technological sovereignty and resilience and it will highlight the importance of robust data governance frameworks, trusted infrastructures, and coordinated policy action to unlock the full value of Earth Observation and space-based services for public authorities.
The goal of the Symposium in Bologna is to explore what could be considered the "perfect model" of Space Data Management for empowering the "typical" Regional Geographic Data Platform. While such a model varies across ecosystems - and, in practice, may not truly exist - sharing experiences across regions and insights from diverse stakeholders will provide valuable benefits for all participants.
A New Interactive Format
To move beyond traditional conferences, the Symposium is designed to combine plenary sessions with highly interactive networking opportunities. The core of the event will feature:
- B2G (Business-to-Government) Meetings: Dedicated one to one matchmaking sessions connecting Public Administrations with Service Providers.
- Cooperative Discussion Tables: Interactive working groups guided by facilitators to debate, network, and gather insights on specific space data challenges.
In collaboration with
Bologna, October 22-23, 2026
B4 Pavilion | DAMA Tecnopolo
Data Manifattura Emilia-Romagna
B4 Pavilion | DAMA Tecnopolo
Data Manifattura Emilia-Romagna
