European Environment Agency (EEA)
The European Environment Agency (EEA) is the EU’s key source of trusted information on the environment. Its mission is to support sustainable development and drive measurable improvements in Europe’s environmental quality by providing timely, relevant and reliable data to policymakers and the public.
To deliver this mission, the EEA works closely with its pan‑European network, the European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet). Through Eionet, the Agency collects and analyses environmental data from its member and cooperating countries, EU institutions and international partners.
What Are Topic Centres?
Topic Centres are specialised hubs contracted and funded by the EEA to provide expert support in key environmental and climate areas. They carry out tasks identified in the EEA‑Eionet Strategy and play a vital role in handling, reviewing and assessing the data reported by EU Member States under EU legislation. Their work strengthens the link between environmental science and European policymaking, ensuring that decisions are grounded in robust, high‑quality information.
How to Become a Designated Topic Centre Organisation (TCO)
Organisations interested in becoming a Topic Centre Organisation (TCO) must first express their interest by contacting the Eionet representative in the country where they are established. This step marks the organisation as a prospective TCO and triggers the start of the Establishment Cycle.
A designated TCO is an organisation that has been formally approved by the EEA Management Board and added to the official list of designated Topic Centre Organisations. Once designated, the organisation becomes eligible for the EEA to enter into contractual agreements with it.
Please note that designation does not oblige the EEA to award any contracts — it simply establishes the necessary legal basis that allows contractual arrangements to be made.
Who Can Participate?
Institutions and organisations located in any EEA member country are eligible to take part in the upcoming designation phase.
Eligibility Criteria
To be designated as a TCO, an organisation must demonstrate compliance with the eligibility requirements set out in the official guidelines available on the EEA website.
For further information please click to visit EEA’s webpage on TCO organisation. In case of interest, please approach ERA’s National Focal Point at [email protected]. Deadline to submit interest is 25th March 2026.
17 February 2026
