Project types in My DataLake Services
The next article How to create a project on My DataLake Services explains how to define a project within My DataLake Services. A project on My DataLake Services is an entity grouping users and roles. It is the gateway to accessing DestinE’s advanced big data analytics and edge computing capabilities. The creation of a project is a five step process of submitting and interacting with:
General Information
Project Type and Details ← this step is covered in detail below
Data Access and Permissions
Confirmation and Validation
Final Submission
Although selecting a project type in Step 2 requires just one click, each option will prompt you for specific information to justify your proposed activities and explain why your organization should be granted access to DestinE services.
The key is to decide to which of the six available project types best matches the nature of your organization. This article
Describes the six available project types in greater detail.
Expands on the related use cases and requirements.
Provides examples of text that applicants can use when explaining their engagement within DestinE.
Project Type |
Required Information |
|---|---|
Public Authority |
EU legal entity details |
Academia & Research |
Research description and DestinE relevance |
SME & Start-Up |
VAT, Business ID, or PIC; business relevance |
3rd Country Public Authority |
Type of authority and institutional collaboration |
DestinE 3Es Staff |
Internal affiliation (ESA, ECMWF, or EUMETSAT) |
DestinE 3Es Contractors |
Contract/tender reference and internal contact |
What we are going to cover
Prerequisites
No. 1 Registered account
You need to have an account registered on My DataLake Services: How to create a profile on My DataLake Services
No. 2 The core organizations involved
The core implementing organisations behind the Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative are
- ESA
European Space Agency. It is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to space exploration and development, established in 1975.
Responsible for developing the DestinE Core Service Platform and Earth observation integration.
- ECMWF
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. It is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1975 that provides global numerical weather predictions, climate data, and tools for environmental monitoring.
Responsible for building and running the Digital Twin Engine and selected digital twins.
- EUMETSAT
European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. It is founded in 1986 and provides weather forecasting, climate monitoring, environmental applications and disaster early warning systems.
Responsible for data ingestion, processing chains, and access services).
These organization are collectively known as 3Es, due to their names all starting with the letter E.
No. 3 How to create a project on My DataLake Services
Article How to create a project on My DataLake Services shows a general series of tasks to create a project.
How to start a new project
To add a new project:
Log in to My DataLake Services (use Prerequisite No. 1).
Click Project in the left-hand menu.
Click the Add project button.
Enter the data described in Step 1 of the article listed in Prerequisite No. 3:
Click Next to continue to Step 2 of that article.
Step 2: Fill in the project creation form
Start filling in the form. Drop-down menu Project type allows you to choose the type of project you want to build:
You will be able to choose among six options:
Public Authority
Academia & Research
SME’s & Start-Ups
3rd country Public Authority
DestinE 3Es ESA/ECMWF/EUMETSAT Staff
DestinE 3Es ESA/ECMWF/EUMETSAT Contractors
Simply select one of the options and, if required, provide additional information based on your selection. Each option and its required data is explained in the sections below.
Project type: Public Authority
If you choose this option, you will be prompted for EU legal entity:
The EU legal authority is the legal power to create laws and enforce them in specific areas, as granted by treaties agreed to by all member states. It is limited, structured, and overseen by EU institutions such as the European Commission, European Parliament, Council of the EU, and CJEU.
Project type: Academia & Research
Here, you will be prompted for Academia description and the specific way you will be contributing to the development of DestinE project:
Provide a short description of your academic team, including your current research focus and how access to DestinE resources would support or enhance your work. The options are:
Public academia and research teams contributing or participating to the development of DestinE directly.
This is the direct involvement in the development of DestinE. Examples of what you could offer:
Integrating your own Earth system models or algorithms into the DestinE Digital Twin Engine. Example area of interest: climate change adaptation.
Participating in core platform development alongside ECMWF, ESA, or EUMETSAT.
Tip
Example selling point: “We integrate our regional climate model into DestinE’s Climate Change Adaptation twin, in collaboration with ECMWF and CSC.”
Public academia and research teams contributing or participating to the development of DestinE through EU funded research projects and activities.
This is contribution via EU-Funded research frameworks, the examples of which are Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
Example idea: suppose you already are a member of Horizon Europe and that you have developed integrated satellite data analysis techniques; here, you would apply to transfer that development into DestinE workflows.
Tip
Example selling point: “Our team participates in Horizon Europe projects related to climate services, contributing methods for uncertainty quantification and satellite data assimilation.”
Public academia and research teams contributing or participating to the development of DestinE through relevant EU Member States or DEP Associated Countries programmes or initiatives.
Apply for this option if you are already working within some national or pan‑European schemes aligned with DestinE’s objectives. Prime examples of this would be
running DestinE simulations on EuroHPC Joint Undertaking which provides supercomputing access to bridges such as LUMI, Marenostrum etc.
Copernicus / EU Space Programme – offering satellite observation data from ESA, EUMETSAT, ECMWF
Tip
Example selling point: “We benefit from EuroHPC access (e.g., via Marenostrum5 in Spain), enabling us to process high-resolution simulations essential for DestinE’s digital twins.”
Note
Obviously, these “selling points” are just examples of what you need to explain in your particular situation and circumstances.
Project type: SME’s & Start-Ups
SME stands for Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) while Start-Ups usually refer to newly formed businesses with high growth potential.
You need to prove that your company is officially registered in the EU. To that end, you can supply
- VAT number
A standard EU tax registration number, available through national tax authorities.
- National business registry number
The unique identifier under your country’s official company registry (e.g., Handelsregister, SIREN, KRS, etc.).
- PIC (Participant Identification Code)
A 9-digit code issued by the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, used for Horizon Europe or DEP applications.
Describe your area of expertise—for example, developing GIS software or offering maritime satellite insights—and explain how it aligns with DestinE objectives.
Project type: 3rd Country Public Authority
Choose this option if you represent or collaborate with a public authority from a country outside the EU that maintains active partnerships with EU-based institutions.
- NOAA
Stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is a U.S. federal agency under the Department of Commerce, responsible for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, ocean and coastal research, satellite operations, environmental stewardship etc.
Some EU agencies and institutes (like EUMETSAT, ECMWF, ESA, or Copernicus services) collaborate closely with NOAA.
- AI4GOOD Administrative Agreement
This is a formal Agreement between European Union (EU) and the United States, about using and development of artificial intelligence (AI), computing, and privacy-enhancing technologies for the public good.
- ESA member
An ESA Member is a country that has joined ESA and contributes to its budget and governance.
As of 2025, ESA has 22 member states.
- ECMWF member
As of 2025, ECMWF has 23 member states
- EUMETSAT member
As of 2025, EUMETSAT has 30 member states.
Project type: DestinE 3Es ESA/ECMWF/EUMETSAT Staff
Are you already working for one of the organizations on which the DestinE project is founded?
Use this option if you belong to one of these categories:
Permanent employees of ESA, ECMWF, or EUMETSAT
Staff involved in DestinE design, development, or operations
Internal testers, developers, or project coordinators requiring early or administrative access
Contributors to internal R&D, simulations, or operational planning using DestinE infrastructure
Project type: DestinE 3Es ESA/ECMWF/EUMETSAT Contractors
Are you already working as one of the contractors for the base DestinE organizations?
This project type is designed for external personnel who are not directly employed by ESA, ECMWF, or EUMETSAT, but who are working under a valid agreement, framework contract, or procurement award in support of DestinE activities.
Verification is required. Applicants may be asked to confirm:
Your company name and contractual relationship (contract ID or tender reference)
Your project lead or contracting authority within ESA, ECMWF, or EUMETSAT
Your institutional email address, if applicable
Summary
Selecting the correct project type ensures that your organization receives appropriate access, support, and integration pathways within the My DataLake Services platform. If you’re unsure which project type best reflects your role, consult your team lead or contact support. You can find relevant links in FAQs.
Note
You can return to this guide at any time if you need to revise your project type or justification.