Communication & Online Learning Enhancement & Scientific Advisory (UCC-VEAT-2024-07)

This is a voluntary ex-ante transparency (VEAT) notice. It acknowledges that University College Cork (UCC) contracted with Stichting Climate-KIC International Foundation (Climate-KIC), for the provision of support and leadership of online and in-person training event implementation for the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service and Copernicus Climate Change Service, under the competitively won ECMWF Service Contract CJS2_156b_UCC. Under CJS2_156b_UCC, UCC is leading a Service team to provide support to the ECMWF in implementing training events and online learning resources for the two Copernicus Services. Climate-KIC will lead the event implementation activities for the overall Service contract, and contribute to the Scientific Advisory Committee. Climate-KIC were uniquely placed in terms of skillsets, professional networks and relationships to perform their role in this overall service contract, further enhanced by their good standing, and track record of excellence. They brought their extensive networks in the worlds of business, academia, and the public and non-profit sectors into the Service team. For example, Climate-KIC are an official member of the Copernicus Academy since 2018 which has equipped them with an exceptional insight into the educational and training landscape of the Copernicus Programme - a critical requirement for this work. In addition, Climate-KIC is already active across Europe and online, running a range of inspirational education programmes for students, postgraduates, and professionals. This is in alignment with the requirements of the Service contract, specifically in delivering high-quality, customised Training events for the 2 Copernicus Services (Atmospheric and Climate) operated by the ECMWF. Within their staff, Climate-KIC also had the required expertise in event management, professional networks, Copernicus activities, Copernicus product uses, and product & service development that was needed for the Service’s Scientific Advisory Committee - a key Quality Control mechanism embedded within the contract Service – in addition to their highly beneficial professional networks. This is in close alignment with the requirements of the overarching Service contract between UCC and the ECMWF, specifically to deliver high-quality, customised online and in-person training events that are quality controlled to a standard of high scientific and professional rigour. The company was therefore selected to participate in the bid for the CJS2_156b ITT as their unique combination of skillsets, technical expertise, capabilities and networks complemented those of the bidding consortium, completing it’s offering to the ECMWF. They were integral to the awarded bid, and have been contracted accordingly.