Programmes

Climate-Edu is the first programme developed within the Climate-Edu Learning Hub, coordinated by the NOA-ReACT team of the National Observatory of Athens and supported by the European Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). Building on the ClimateHub ecosystem, the programme brings climate change education closer to students, educators, public authorities, and citizens across Greece.

Through Climate-Edu, we develop high-quality educational content in Greek, strengthen national climate education initiatives through interactive training programmes, and contribute to the creation of a national collaboration network among schools, universities, and public institutions, with the shared goal of raising awareness and advancing knowledge on climate change.

The programme integrates undergraduate and postgraduate courses, online courses (MOOCs), a summer school, training workshops, public lectures, and demonstrations of scientific instruments, as well as the original Meteorological Walks at the Acropolis and the Tower of the Winds, where ancient Greek meteorological knowledge meets modern Copernicus data.

It is addressed to students, university learners, educators, public sector professionals, and any citizen interested in gaining a deeper understanding of climate change. Through these activities, Climate-Edu aims to enhance climate literacy in Greece and support evidence-based decision-making.

Copernicus is the flagship Earth Observation programme of the European Union, which leverages satellite missions and in-situ measurement networks to provide free, reliable, and up-to-date data on the state of the planet.

It is overseen by the European Commission and implemented in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and other European institutions.

The programme is structured around six thematic services:   

  • Climate Change Service (C3S)
  • Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) 
  • Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) 
  • Land Monitoring Service (CLMS)
  • Emergency Management Service (CEMS)

Through these services, Copernicus provides governments, scientists, businesses, and citizens with open access to scientific data and tools, supporting evidence-based decision-making for climate change mitigation and adaptation, natural resource management, and environmental resilience.

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an independent intergovernmental organisation established in 1975, with headquarters in Reading (United Kingdom) and Bologna (Italy). It is one of the world’s leading institutions for medium-range weather and climate forecasting.

Within the Copernicus programme, ECMWF implements on behalf of the European Commission the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), while also contributing to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service by providing information on flood and wildfire risks.

Beyond its operational role, ECMWF supports researchers across its Member States, works closely with the academic community, and develops training programmes that enable partners to effectively use its services and data.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) supports society by providing authoritative information on climate, from historical records to future projections at European and global scales. Its mission is to support European climate policy by delivering reliable, science-based information that is freely and openly accessible to all.

C3S data and tools are used by a wide range of users, including scientists, consultants, policymakers, journalists, and citizens, for applications ranging from assessing the impacts of climate change on biodiversity to managing risks for commercial operations and supporting sustainable water management.

C3S builds on existing national meteorological and environmental services across European countries. To this end, it engages national climate service providers and the academic community in its implementation, leveraging expertise at the national level.

The National Collaboration Programme (NCP) of C3S is a funding initiative implemented by ECMWF, with approval from the European Commission, aimed at strengthening the use of Copernicus Climate Change Service data and services in each EU Member State.

Through competitive Calls for Action designed in collaboration with participating countries, the NCP supports the development of national climate services, enhances national capacity for climate monitoring, and fosters the creation of tools and applications that integrate C3S data with local expertise. At the same time, it promotes collaboration with national authorities to support climate adaptation planning in sectors such as agriculture, water management, and energy, while providing a common platform for sharing best practices across European countries.

In Greece, the National Observatory of Athens, through the NOA-ReACT team, participates in the NCP with two funded actions: ClimateHub for C3S and AtmoHub for CAMS.

Climate-Edu represents the newest initiative within the C3S NCP framework, bringing Copernicus climate data into education and training.