The European preparation activities for the EarthCARE validation in the framework of ACTRIS/ATMO-ACCESSHolger Baars, Eleni Marinou, Lucia Mona, Ewan O'Connor, Stephanie Rusli, Rob Koopman, Ann Mari Fjæraa and Doina NicolaeEPJ Web Conf., 362 (2026) 08015DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202636208015