KEPLER is a multi-partner initiative, built around the operational European Ice Services and Copernicus information providers, to prepare a roadmap for Copernicus to deliver an improved European capacity for monitoring and forecasting the Polar Regions. This project aims to provide opportunities for better understanding the environment, research opportunities, establishing new industry sectors and startups, and bringing together key European stakeholders and competent entities. Our motivation is to put the public and stakeholders at the centre of Copernicus. This project aims to address the following topics:

1) Engaging Copernicus users in public and private sector

2) Enabling access to Copernicus data and information

3) Identification of research gaps regarding integration/assimilation, and

4) Improved sea-ice mapping and forecasting