This week, the European project EOSC Node | European Digital Twin Ocean officially kicked off in Pisa, Italy. The project aims to better connect marine research data, digital services and scientific expertise, making it easier for researchers across Europe to share, analyse and reuse data. The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) plays a key role in the project, leading a work package focused on accessible and interconnected marine data services.
The EOSC Marine Project, consisting of 27 partners from 8 EU countries, kicked-off in Pisa, Italy. (Picture: EOSC Node| European Digital Twin Ocean)
A connected digital environment for European marine research
Europe holds a wealth of ocean data, ranging from marine biodiversity and water quality to ocean currents and climate change. However, this information is often scattered across different databases, research institutions and digital systems, making it difficult for scientists to find, combine and use relevant data.
The EOSC Node | European Digital Twin Ocean project, which started on 1 September 2026, aims to address this challenge. It is developing a marine thematic node within the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), a European initiative designed to improve access to research data and digital services while fostering scientific collaboration.
The project also contributes to the development of the European Digital Twin Ocean, a virtual representation of the ocean that brings together observations, scientific models and simulations. This digital environment will help researchers, policymakers and other users better understand changes in the ocean and explore possible future scenarios.
To achieve this, the project builds on existing European marine data infrastructures, including EMODnet and the Copernicus Marine Service, and will bridge the gap between EOSC and EDITO. By connecting these services, new research outputs can flow more easily into established European data platforms and reach a wider community of users.
VLIZ drives FAIR and federated marine data services
VLIZ plays a leading role in the project, coordinating the work package ‘Towards FAIR & Federated Marine Data Services’. Several VLIZ teams are involved, including IT, Open Science and the Geospatial Data & Products team.
The work focuses on making marine observation data, data standards and digital services available according to the FAIR principles, ensuring that data are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable.
VLIZ will also contribute proven methodologies and best practices to improve interoperability between different data systems. By supporting common standards and seamless data exchange, the institute is helping to build a European research environment in which marine data can flow more efficiently from research infrastructures to scientists and other users.
VLIZ also represented at the EOSC Symposium in Florence
Following the project kick-off in Pisa, a VLIZ delegation will attend the EOSC Symposium in Florence from 14 to 16 October 2026. This annual European event brings together researchers, policymakers, funders and research infrastructure representatives to discuss the future of open science in Europe.
A key focus of this year's symposium is the further development of the EOSC Federation, which aims to connect research environments and services across Europe. The EOSC Node | European Digital Twin Ocean will also be represented, highlighting its contribution to a more connected and accessible European research landscape.
More information: eosc-dto.eu
