On April 14–15, 2025, the BioClima project officially launched with a two-day kick-off meeting held at the scenic Novotného lávka in the heart of Prague, Czech Republic. The meeting was conducted in a physical format with the possibility of remote participation, allowing partners who could not attend in person—including many from China—to join online. This hybrid format enabled broad international engagement from the very start of the project.

Led by the University of West Bohemia (UWB), BioClima is an ambitious Horizon Europe project under the call HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-7, focused on developing harmonised systems for biodiversity and climate observation across Europe and China. The project consortium comprises 37 institutions and organisations, representing a multidisciplinary team of experts from environmental sciences, data analytics, policy, and geospatial technology.

Highlights from the Prague Kick-Off

Day 1 began with opening remarks from Tomas Mildorf (UWB), who welcomed all participants and outlined the strategic vision of BioClima. This was followed by team introductions and a session dedicated to aligning the project’s shared direction. A focal point of the afternoon was the discussion of work packages WP6 and WP7, which include the development of a practical handbook, upcoming deliverables, and the roadmap for future consortium meetings. The day concluded with a vibrant networking dinner at the traditional Czech restaurant U Medvídků, offering participants a valuable opportunity to build connections across borders.

Day 2 featured an important milestone for international collaboration: the Joint EU–China Hybrid Session, which brought together European and Chinese partners for a live, interactive exchange on shared goals, methodologies, and expectations. This session underscored BioClima’s commitment to strengthening EU–China cooperation in environmental research and innovation—particularly in developing joint digital platforms, integrated monitoring standards, and early-warning systems for climate and biodiversity.

Later that day, the technical focus turned to Work Package 3 (WP3), with a presentation by Stylianos Kotsopoulos of Neuralio A.I. The session explored the role of AI in spatial analytics and ecological risk assessment, highlighting the first steps toward building a hierarchical statistical framework and integrating data from WP1 and WP2. The discussions reflected BioClima’s innovative spirit and its reliance on interdisciplinary, data-driven approaches.

Setting the Stage for Transformative Research

The kick-off confirmed that BioClima stands at the forefront of transformative environmental monitoring, aiming to:

  • Build integrated climate-biodiversity observatory systems across Europe and China,
  • Apply Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) for high-resolution monitoring,
  • Leverage artificial intelligence for predictive ecosystem modelling and risk assessment,
  • Bridge science and policy with actionable strategies for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation.

The Prague meeting set a collaborative tone for the next four years of the BioClima project. By combining scientific excellence, technological innovation, and international partnership, BioClima is poised to deliver robust insights and tools to guide sustainable environmental policy at global and local scales.

Stay tuned for further updates, publications, and stakeholder engagement opportunities as BioClima moves into its implementation phase.