MIG\2016\5\DOC13

INSPIRE Maintenance and Implementation Group (MIG)

Information Document on related policies and developments

Type / Information document
Creator / DG ENV
Date / status / 24/11/2016
Addressee / INSPIRE Maintenance and Implementation Group (MIG)
Identifier / DOC13
Description / Information on related policies and developments of relevance for the MIG.

MIG-P members are invited to take note of this information and to share it with relevant colleagues and communities, as appropriate.

Contents

1. ISA2 action ELISE (European Location Interoperability Solutions for E-Government)

2. ESTAT Census Hub – Status and next steps

3. NFP/Eionet working group on INSPIRE

4. Sustainable development – The EU sets out its priorities

5. Indicative MIG meeting planning 2017

1.ISA2 action ELISE (European Location Interoperability Solutions for E-Government)

ELISE (European Location Interoperability Solutions for E-Government) is part of the ISA2 Programme[1] (Interoperability Solutions for European Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens) run by DIGIT [1]. ELISE carries forward the work of the EULF (European Union Location Framework) and ARE3NA (A Reusable INSPIRE Reference Platform) actions in the predecessor ISA Programme, which concluded in 2016. ISA2 has a budget of EUR 131m over 5 years.

The ELISE action is coordinated by the JRC and has a group with a governance / advisory role called the ISA2 Working Group on Geospatial Solutions with Member State and Commission representatives (superseding a similar group in ISA). Member States are in the process of submitting nomination for this Working Group, which is expected to meet for the first time in early 2017 (date to be confirmed). Member States have agreed a budget for ELISE of EUR 983k for 2016 and more than EUR 2,000k for 2017. This makes it one of the larger ISA2 actions. It is the only action in the area of “geospatial solutions” and integrates also proposals from Member States in this domain (e.g. proposals from Spain in the 2016 and Flanders in the 2017 work programme).

Over the next two years, the ELISE work programme includes:

  • A study to assess the economic opportunities coming from the free flow of location data and preparation of relevant guidance (aligned to the Digital Single Market strategy and plan);
  • Incorporation of geospatial considerations in the Better Regulation ICT impact assessment process for new policy (aligned with DG ENV on INSPIRE);
  • A study and relevant guidance on the better use of geospatial data in the production and dissemination of statistical information (aligned with Eurostat and UN-GGIM activities);
  • Activities to progress EULF proposals for a pan-European EU Gazetteer, including a review of the feasibility study prepared by the EULF project and work to implement the first phase pilot, leading to an eventual ‘live’ solution (this is part of an increased focus on higher value “common services” by ISA2 / ELISE) ;
  • Continued work to progress pilots in different policy domains (e.g. Energy Efficiency of Buildings and, possibly, continuation of support to ITS road safety data exchange and MSFD e-reporting rollout);
  • Preparatory work for possible new pilots promoting business innovation and the free flow of data in energy, transport or other domains;
  • Establishment of a Geospatial Knowledge Base service to support policy makers and implementers seeking to apply geospatial / INSPIRE best practice;

Further development of geospatial interoperability solutions, including enhancements to the ARe3NA platform for reusing INSPIRE, the Re3gistry software, the common INSPIRE validator and tools to improve the accessibility and usability of geospatial data on the web.

2.ESTAT Census Hub – Status and next steps

On 14 November 2016 a technical workshop on a centralized technical solution for INSPIRE requirements related to the dissemination of selected census 2021 data on a 1km2 grid took place at DG Eurostat with the participation of DG JRC and DG ENV.Participants agreed that it is possible to map Census data and metadata in SDMX format to INSPIRE data specifications and metadata profile. The first mapping will be done by EUROSTAT internally and then revised by JRC. The publishing of the services will be later discussed in details but the agreed solution is that it will be realized through existing GISCO (Geographical information system of the Commission) infrastructure and the INSPIRE geoportal. DG ENV agreed on the suggested solution. ESTAT will prepare by mid-March 2017 a concept including cost estimate for complete in-house solution covering central discovery and view / download services as well as data and metadata mappings from SDMX to INSPIRE data models for the 1km2 grid data use case. EUROSTAT will present the solution to Member States in the 7-8 December 2016 meeting of the Task Force on the future EU censuses of population and housing, together with a corresponding first draft of the implementing Regulation. Based on the discussion in the expert group next steps will be decided.

3.NFP/Eionet working group on INSPIRE

Meeting minutes kick-off Webinar 11.11.2016 10:00 – 11:30

MS participants: AT – Erik Obersteiner, BE– Jan Hendrik Voet, CZ – Jana Basistova, DE – Christina Pykonnen, Marco Hohmann, ES – Rafael David, FI – Elise Järvenpää, FR – Thomas Kochert, SE – Ninni Boren, SK – Sylvia Baslarova, UK – Martin Fowell, Jason King.

EEA participants: Stefan Jensen, Christian Ansorge

EEA invited to the Webinar to which all 10 countries which had nominated were present.

EEA provided an introduction covering the terms of reference for the working group. This was followed by a short overview of the political process. The INSPIRE governance got mentioned including the INSPIRE maintenance and implementation work plan and the related 2 monitoring and implementation groups (MIGs). There exists MIG-T (technical) and MIG-P (political). EEA participates to both groups – Eionet representation is limited to very few members – two of them also participate in this working group (Jan and Jason) A (short-term) “fitness for purpose” group to look in –better alignment towards INSPIRE business cases - such as eReporting - and potential simplifications has been initiated under the MIG-P.

While above includes Member State representation, DG Environment has set up another set of groups which promotes the policy processes of REFIT (“Better regulation” – addressing amongst other items monitoring and reporting under environmental legislations – thematic ones and those of horizontal nature e.g. INSPIRE). There is a “focus group” involving DG Environment’s thematic units as well as JRC and EEA to make sure INSPIRE aspects are properly taken into account within the environment-related themes.

Above points triggered only few clarifying questions.

We then moved to questions and answers regarding the concept paper on “eReporting and INSPIRE”. Key input from participants showed that there are still unclear points. We highlighted so far:

  • It is a very good starting point which will need more clarification and fine-tuning. Along this line a short summary would be helpful.
  • Expected benefits from using INSPIRE for reporting needs to be stated more clearly (for MS and EC) – earlier use cases elaborated by INSPIRE were often too vague.
  • Overall reporting burden is still a main concern which should be picked up clearly.
  • Countries appreciate the uptake of their national data provided via INSPIRE as part of the future reporting process
  • More understanding and support of data delivering NRCs will be needed.
  • Case studies are needed to demonstrate clear benefits.
  • Improve the understanding of the Annex table to the concept note – which currently identifies datasets – beyond Eionet core – to be provided “as is” as soon as possible
  • There are different views about how much eReporting shall and can be “simplified” – what does that (in technical terms) exactly mean?
  • Avoid duplication in the production and publication of metadata/data/services.
  • CDDA reporting was identified and supported as ideal starting point for further exploration towards INSPIRE based eReporting

Participants asked for more time to comment on the concept note. We will collect further comments until November 25th and aim to feed them into the next meeting of INSPIRE MIG policy group (MIG-P) the week after.

While the discussion was much focussed around the concept paper, EEA explored topics for discussion and concrete actions by the NRC EIS group which is meeting on December 6th and 7th. We identified two main areas during the meeting:

  • Analyse Eionet core data flows (ECDF) based on their spatial data content and move towards agreeing which data falls under the INSPIRE provisions (e.g. delivery as service, harmonisation against (Annex III) data specifications). Aim to identify the type 1 – type 2 distinction made in the concept note.
  • Inform and discuss the need to enhance the EEA reporting system (as part of Reportnet or complementing it) to cover the INSPIRE service based reporting demands in the future. Ideally a thematic priority setting can also be recommended.

CZ, SE and UK proposed presentation for the NRC EIS meeting. EEA will follow-up with them. Members of the working group were encouraged to discuss with their NRC EIS the possibility of offering a presentation at the upcoming NRC EIS meeting and submit any offers to the EEA by 28 November.

Results should be as concrete as possible. A roadmap would be appreciated.

The meeting concluded without proposing yet a next meeting date. Therefore, EEA suggests to await results from the MIG-P and the NRC-EIS meeting and proposes a next webinar most likely in week 50.

4.Sustainable development – The EU sets out its priorities

The Commission has set out a strategic approach for achieving sustainable development in Europe and around the world. Read how the EU aims to achieve its sustainable development goals.

A first Communication on the next steps for a sustainable European future explains how the Commission's 10 political priorities contribute to implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and how the EU will meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the future.

A second Communication on a new European Consensus on Development proposes a shared vision and framework for development cooperation for the EU and its Member States, aligned with the 2030 Agenda.

A third Communication on a renewed partnership with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries proposes building blocks for a new, sustainable phase in EU-ACP relations after the Cotonou Partnership Agreement expires in 2020.

5.Indicative MIG meeting planning 2017

The following face to face meetings for the MIG and its different subgroups are scheduled for 2017. The planning still needs to be further detailed and might be subject to change.

INSPIRE Committee

  • 15 June 2017 (pm)
  • Possible meeting in December, if needed

MIG

  • 6th Meeting: 14 June and 15 June (am) 2017
  • 7th Meeting: 7/8 December 2017

Permanent technical subgroup of the MIG

  • 39th Meeting: End of March / Begin of April 2017 (TBC)

2016.1 Fitness for purpose – Reflection Group

  • Brussels, REGIO ROOM BU29 03/004,22 February 2017
  • Brussels, REGIO ROOM BU29 03/004, 11 May 2017

2016.2 Streamlining monitoring and reporting for 2019 - Workgroup

  • February 2017(TBC)
  • May 2017 (TBC)

1

[1]