The workshop "Exploring the value and challenges of using Earth observation data" was held virtually on April 15, 2021. It was organized by the Australian scientific agency CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) in collaboration with regional partners.

The workshop addressed the critical benefits and technical obstacles of implementing Earth observation technologies:

• Identifying Value: The discussion focused on how open and free satellite data are fundamental to understanding complex social dynamics, such as the human impact on water resources, energy security, and climate change.
• Big Data Challenges: The workshop analyzed the challenges posed by the "9 Vs" of massive Earth observation datasets: volume, velocity, variety, veracity, variability, validity, value, visualization, and vocabulary.
• Project Presentations: The Brazil Data Cube (BDC) team actively participated, presenting their activities and how they are addressing these challenges in the region to generate data cubes ready for analysis.

Although this workshop was led by CSIRO, it was timed to coincide with the start of the CARIGEO initiative's webinar series (which began on April 21, 2021). Both efforts shared the objective of:

• Fostering a "community of practice" for open data sharing.
• Promoting the use of tools like the Open Data Cube so that countries can make evidence-based decisions without facing costly technical processing barriers.

Concept Note (pdf)