From ideas to impact: Behind the scenes of the GEO Youth Ideathon @ Global Forum Rome 2025

Young people are shaping the future of Earth observation. The GEO Youth Ideathon, held alongside the GEO Global Forum in Rome in 2025, offered a powerful illustration of this as youth were given the space, tools and trust to turn ideas into impact.

Organised by RAMANI, the first spin-off of the University of Twente’s Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, and supported by the GEO Secretariat, the Ideathon brought together young professionals from diverse disciplines and regions to work on real-world challenges using Earth observation. Participants quickly moved from problem definition to prototype development, demonstrating creativity, agility and problem-solving skills.

One challenge focused on the early detection of pine tortoise scale infestations, a growing to ecosystems and local economies in Italy. By working directly with a campsite manager on the outskirts of Rome, participants developed a prototype solution using Earth observation data and tools to support early warning and related decision-making. This hands-on approach highlighted the importance of grounding innovation in real-world needs.

Alex Massot, an Ideathon participant from the Mountain Research Initiative, said, “It became clear that strong data standards and working with real users was the key to unlocking the true power of Earth observations.”

Beyond technical outcomes, the Ideathon showcased the value of co-creation. By working at the intersection of data, innovation and user needs, the group demonstrated how Earth observation can be translated into actionable insights that make a difference. This is a critical step in connecting science, policy and society while advancing Earth Intelligence for All.

The energy, collaboration and creativity of the Ideathon is captured in this video, which offers a glimpse into the intense teamwork, shared learning and youth-led innovation that defined the Rome experience.

Launch of the GEO Youth Blog Series

This blog is part of the GEO Youth Blog Series, a new initiative dedicated to amplifying youth voices, perspectives and contributions across the Earth observation community.

Through personal reflections, project insights and lessons learned, the GEO Youth Blog Series will provide a space for young people to share experiences from across disciplines and regions.

Blogs will be published throughout 2026, with regular contributions from members of the GEO Youth Community of Practice.

Visit the GEO Youth Community of Practice webpage for more information and to submit your blog posts.