As PCP WISE enters its implementation phase, the project brings together five use cases representing some of Europe’s most pressing water and climate adaptation challenges.
From urban droughts to rural flooding, each use case reflects the operational needs of public buyers facing increasingly complex climate risks. These challenges form the foundation upon which PCP WISE suppliers will develop, test and validate innovative Earth Observation-powered solutions throughout the Pre-Commercial Procurement process.
Through short video interviews, the leaders of each use case explain the realities they face on the ground, the expectations they have for PCP WISE, and how innovation can support more resilient water management across Europe.
Whether tackling drought, floods or combined climate pressures, they all share a common ambition: developing practical solutions that can improve decision-making today while creating long-term value for public authorities, citizens and ecosystems.
Use Case 1 – Urban Drought (Northern Europe)
💧 Urban drought is becoming an increasingly important challenge across Northern European cities. Rapid urbanisation, changing rainfall patterns and fragmented underground water systems are putting increasing pressure on green infrastructure, water resources and urban resilience.
Together with the City of Rotterdam, the City of Haarlem and STOWA, Forum Virium Helsinki leads PCP WISE’s first use case, which focuses on improving water distribution, monitoring soil moisture and supporting better decision-making through innovative Earth Observation technologies.
In this interview, Meri Vainio (Project Manager at Forum Virium Helsinki) explains the main challenges affecting urban environments, the needs of local stakeholders and how PCP WISE could help public buyers better anticipate and manage drought impacts.
🎥 Watch the interview here.
Use Case 2 – Urban Flooding (North-Central Europe)
💧 Urban flooding is becoming an increasingly complex challenge across North-Central Europe. More frequent heavy rainfall, rising water levels and changing climate patterns are putting increasing pressure on urban infrastructure, public safety and emergency response systems.
Led by the Slovak Environment Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, Forum Virium Helsinki, Klimatorium and THW, this use case focuses on improving flood monitoring, risk assessment and decision-making through innovative Earth Observation technologies and climate intelligence.
In this interview, Martin Tuchyna (Project Partner Manager at Slovak Environment Agency) and Marek Hubacek (IT Expert at Slovak Environment Agency) discuss the operational challenges faced by public authorities, the needs of end-users and how PCP WISE solutions could strengthen urban resilience to flooding and other water-related risks.
🎥 Watch the interview here.
Use Case 3 – Rural Drought (Northwest-Central Europe)
💧 Rural areas across Northwest-Central Europe are increasingly experiencing prolonged drought periods, threatening biodiversity, agriculture and natural ecosystems. Managing water availability while balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders has become a major challenge for protected landscapes and surrounding communities.
Together with the Slovak Environment Agency, the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic and STOWA, Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide leads this cross-border use case, which aims to improve drought monitoring, groundwater management and long-term climate resilience using innovative Earth Observation solutions.
In this interview, Klaas Pauly (Project Manager at Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide) shares the challenges faced by land managers and public authorities, the expectations for PCP WISE and the long-term benefits that innovative decision-support tools could bring to water management.
🎥 Watch the interview here.
Use Case 4 – Rural Drought & Flooding (Southern Europe)
💧 Southern Europe is increasingly affected by alternating periods of severe drought and intense rainfall, placing significant pressure on agriculture, water resources and regional economies. These increasingly variable climate conditions require more integrated approaches to monitoring and managing water availability.
Led by IEEC/ICGC together with the Region of Central Macedonia, this use case focuses on developing innovative solutions that support agricultural resilience, improve water resource management and strengthen preparedness for climate extremes.
In this interview, Davoud Omarzadeh (Project/Research Manager at IEEC) and Jordi Corbera (Technical Manager at ICGC) explain the specific challenges faced in Southern Europe, the expectations for PCP WISE and how innovative climate services could support more resilient territorial planning.
🎥 Watch the interview here.
Use Case 5 – Rural Drought & Flooding (Northern Europe)
💧 Northern European regions are increasingly facing the combined impacts of drought, flooding and changing groundwater conditions. These challenges affect agriculture, infrastructure and natural landscapes, requiring better monitoring of soil-water dynamics and more informed decision-making.
Together with THW and STOWA, Klimatorium leads this use case, which focuses on improving the management of groundwater, soil moisture and climate-related risks through advanced Earth Observation technologies and innovative decision-support tools.
In this interview, Johanne Bendix (Project Manager at Klimatorium) presents the challenges affecting Northern European territories, the needs of local stakeholders and how PCP WISE solutions could contribute to more resilient and sustainable water management.
🎥 Watch the interview here.
