Abstract:

The COSPAR Capacity Building Programme started in 2001 with the organisation of highly practical workshops in developing countries with the aim of encouraging (young) scientists from those regions to use scientific data from space missions. In 2009 a Fellowship associated to the workshops has been added as a fundamental component of the Programme. A considerable amount of experience has been achieved and the programme today is covering a large number of disciplines related to space science: from astronomy (X-ray, infrared, gamma) to Earth Observation (water cycle, atmospheric aerosols, land surface characterisation), including magnetospheric physics, space oceanographics and many more. Also the frequency of organised workshops has considerably increased from one to three yearly. 15 years and 25 workshops after the start is a good time to look back at the achievements, understand where are we today and reflect how can we make it even better.