1)      Background of the assignment

 Expertise France conducted the EU-funded RESEMBID programme between 2019 and 2025, which aimed to support the sustainable human development efforts of Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), with a focus on resilience, sustainable energy and marine biodiversity.

In the continuity of the RESEMBID programme, the EU Delegation in Barbados is planning an Action to enhance the Caribbean's ability to monitor and forecast extreme weather events and to establish a Copernicus Competence Centre at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH). The indicative objectives and activities of the intervention are described below. Regarding the proven experience with RESEMBID, the EU Delegation has requested Expertise France in implementing the Action.

Preliminary to the Action, the EU Delegation is preparing a scoping study (results due in May, 2026) aiming at better defining the needs of the Caribbean Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in terms of technology transfer from European systems or centers, institutional positioning, thematic priorities and capacity building.

2)      Indicative objectives and activities of the Action

Specific Objectives (SO)

SO1 : Strengthen Operational Forecasting Capacity:

Objective: Enhance the Caribbean's ability to monitor and forecast extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and storm surges, through direct access to European high-resolution satellite data and advanced weather forecasting models.

Key Activities:

-          Provide Caribbean Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) with access to European satellite infrastructure (Sentinel 1, Sentinel 2) and high-performance computing (HPC) from ECMWF and other European centers to improve forecasting and modeling capabilities.

-          Support the integration of advanced weather prediction models into Caribbean national meteorological systems for real-time forecasting and disaster preparedness.

-          Enhance tropical cyclone tracking, flood forecasting, and storm surge prediction to better anticipate and mitigate extreme weather events in the Caribbean region.

-          Promote the collaboration between European and Caribbean NMHSs for joint operations, data sharing, and enhanced forecasting coordination.

SO2 : Establish and Sustain the Copernicus Competence Centre in the Caribbean

Objective: Establish a Copernicus Competence Centre at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), to serve as the regional hub for the adaptation and operationalization of Copernicus services and technology tailored to Caribbean SIDS (Small Island Developing States) and OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories).

 Key Activities:

-          Develop and operationalise ToRs for the Copernicus Competence Centre at CIMH to facilitate the effective use of Copernicus data and services at the regional level.

-          Develop regional forecasting models that integrate Copernicus data, leveraging advanced tools like DestinE and ECMWF's high-resolution models to enhance hurricane monitoring, climate monitoring, and disaster preparedness.

-          Provide training programs and capacity-building activities for Caribbean meteorological services on the use of Copernicus data, modeling techniques, and the application of advanced technology for weather forecasting and disaster risk management.

-          Foster collaboration between European institutions (e.g., ECMWF, ESA, JRC) and Caribbean stakeholders (e.g., CIMH, CDEMA) to ensure the sustainability of Copernicus services in the region, with a long-term focus on integrating these services into national DRM frameworks.