Panama's Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Senacyt) produced the podcast Imagina Radio, which recently highlighted key insights from the first edition of InnovaInvest Copernicus, which took place in October at Senacyt's headquarters. This event focused on linking innovative initiatives leveraging data from the European Union’s Earth Observation Program, Copernicus, with funding opportunities for their implementation.
Representing RedCLARA, Carlos González (Service Manager), Tania Altamirano (Academic Relations Manager), and Laura Castellana (Academic Projects Coordinator) participated in the podcast. They discussed RedCLARA’s impact, the BELLA II program, advanced connectivity, and collaborative efforts in the region, as well as the outcomes of InnovaInvest Copernicus.
Tania Altamirano emphasized RedCLARA’s pivotal role as the operator of Latin America’s only advanced research and education network. This network connects National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) from countries like Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, and Ecuador with advanced academic networks worldwide. “Our mission is to drive science, education, technology, and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean by strengthening national networks and providing meaningful connectivity for each country’s development,” she noted.
She also highlighted the importance of the BELLA II project, which aims to expand the region’s digital ecosystem and foster exchanges between research centers, universities, companies, and academic networks. “BELLA II simplifies pathways for collaboration and strengthens regional capacities. Through this framework, we’ve launched innovative activities like Ideathons, Hackathons, and now InnovaInvest, showcasing scalable solutions to critical issues like climate change, water management, and food security,” she explained.
Laura Castellana, Academic Projects Coordinator, described InnovaInvest as the third innovation event organized by RedCLARA and BELLA II, bringing together academia, government, and the private sector to create an integrated collaboration network. “The success of InnovaInvest lies in this joint participation, which transforms innovative projects into tangible solutions that directly benefit communities, farmers, and vulnerable populations,” she said.
InnovaInvest Copernicus specifically focused on open and free-access data from the EU’s Copernicus Earth Observation Program. “This program is a crucial tool for addressing global challenges. Satellite data enables the identification of terrains, climate-related emergencies, and other key aspects across disciplines. Initiatives showcased at InnovaInvest Copernicus used this data to develop innovative solutions to specific problems in the region,” Castellana added.
Carlos González, Service Manager at RedCLARA, shared examples of initiatives presented at InnovaInvest, such as "hotspot" monitoring systems to detect fires, giving communities time to respond effectively. He also emphasized how these initiatives influence political decision-making to shape effective public policies.
“It’s vital that these solutions make a real impact on people’s lives. For instance, a team from Colombia and Mexico collaborated to address biodiversity loss, a regional problem. González explained that the solutions developed for specific issues often have broader applications across the region.
Through these initiatives, RedCLARA continues to solidify its role as a cornerstone in promoting digital transformation, regional collaboration, and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly through the use of advanced technologies to solve complex challenges.
Listen to the full podcast at the link: IMAGINA RADIO – Innovation – Laura Castellana, Carlos González, Tania Altamirano.
