• Introduction

    Welcome to the training platform under the ESA CopPhil Project!

    The National Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme for the Philippines (CopPhil) is a collaboration between the European Union (EU), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Government of the Philippines, designed to strengthen the country’s capacity to leverage Copernicus Earth Observation (EO) data and services. By enhancing access to satellite-derived information, CopPhil supports disaster risk management, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development efforts in the Philippines.

    This training platform is part of the knowledge and capacity development work package led by Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS), focusing on Knowledge and Skills Transfer. The training program is designed to equip participants with practical expertise in EO applications across CopPhil’s three thematic pilot services:

    • Ground Motion Monitoring
    • Land Cover, Forest, and Crop Monitoring
    • Benthic Habitat Monitoring

    Through a mix of online and on-site courses, this platform serves as a hub for learning, collaboration, and capacity-building, ensuring that EO data can be effectively used for decision-making and policy implementation in the Philippines.

    🚀 Get started by exploring the courses and resources available!


Available courses

CopPhil Introduction: CopPhil Project and the Role of Earth Observation in the Philippines

This course serves as an introduction to the CopPhil project, which aims to integrate Copernicus satellite data to enhance national capacities in disaster management and environmental monitoring across the Philippines. It kicks off the comprehensive series of courses designed to demonstrate the practical applications of the developed CopPhil pilot Earth Observation (EO) services in addressing critical national challenges.

Land Cover Monitoring: Fundamentals

This course builds the participants‘ knowledge and skills to effectively apply the Land Cover Service being developed under CopPhil later on. This session focuses on the foundational concepts, techniques, and data used in monitoring land cover, preparing participants for the practical (Part II – June 2025; online) and application (Part III – July 2025; onsite) courses that follow in the series. Utilizing Copernicus satellite data, participants will gain insights into how Earth Observation (EO) technologies can support effective land use planning, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.

Forest Monitoring: Fundamentals

This course introduces the principles of using Earth Observation (EO) for forest monitoring, covering key remote sensing techniques, data sources, and analytical methods. Participants will learn how Copernicus datasets, vegetation indices, and classification techniques are applied to assess forest cover, detect changes, and support sustainable management. As the first part of the Forest Monitoring Training Series, this session provides the foundational knowledge needed for practical (Part II - April/May 2025; onsite)  and application (Part III - July 2025; online) trainings.

Crop Monitoring: Fundamentals

This course introduces how satellite data and Earth Observation (EO) technologies help monitor crops and support agriculture. Participants will learn about key remote sensing techniques, vegetation indices, and tools like Sen4Stat, which uses Copernicus data for tracking crop growth and land use. As the first session in the Crop Monitoring Training Series, this course builds a foundation for using EO in agriculture, preparing participants for more hands-on (Part II - May 2025; onsite) and advanced (Part III - July 2025; online) training in the next sessions.

Ground Motion Monitoring: Fundamentals

This course introduces the principles and techniques used in Ground Motion Monitoring through Earth Observation (EO). Participants will gain an understanding of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology and how it is applied to detect and analyze ground displacement using Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI). The session covers key concepts such as SAR backscattering, geometric distortions, and processing methods using GMTSAR+STAMPS. This foundational course prepares participants for more advanced (Part II - May 2025; online) training on practical applications (Part III - July 2025; onsite) and analysis of ground motion data.

Benthic Habitat Monitoring: Fundamentals

This course introduces participants to the fundamentals of using remote sensing technologies for benthic habitat monitoring. It covers key principles of optical and radar satellite data, exploring their applications in shallow water monitoring and habitat assessment. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of spectral resolution, spatial resolution, and statistical parameter mapping, setting the stage for practical (Part II - April/May 2025; onsite) and application (Part III - July 2025; onsite/online) training in later sessions.