The Copernicus Observations In Situ Networking and Sustainability (COINS) Consortium consists of three European organisations that have been established to improve the co-ordination and delivery of a range of operational and research activities across Europe. The project consists of two lots. Lot 1 brings together EUMETNET, EuroGOOS and ICOS, with EUMETNET being the lot’s coordinator and addresses the in situ requirements and gaps in link with the Copernicus Marine, Atmosphere and Climate services. The partners advise the European Environment Agency (EEA) in the areas of in situ meteorological and ocean observation networks, climate datasets, atmospheric chemistry observation and data management. This brings Copernicus services up to date with the networks’ capability and helps evaluate future requirements and gaps to be filled to improve their work.