News and highlights

The global population has now surpassed 8 billion, and it’s expected to reach 9 billion by 2037 . Every year on 11 July, the World Population Day brings attention to these numbers and the people behind them. With population figures separated by age, ethnicity, gender, and other factors, the diversity of our societies can be reflected more accurately than before. However, the most marginalised communities remain under-represented in data, having profound effects on their lives and well-being. In the last thirty years, progress has been made in improving population data gathering, analysis, and

Register now for our upcoming webinar ‘Next steps to compliance: preparing for the EU AI Act’ , on Friday, 18 July 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 CEST. This session will delve into the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act , helping stakeholders understand their legal obligations and exploring the potential of open data and AI. The EU AI Act , which entered into force on 1 August 2024, is the world’s first comprehensive AI regulation. It introduces a risk-based approach, placing new responsibilities on organisations that develop, use, or procure AI systems. With key obligations taking

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more influential, shaping how it can be used as a tool in serving the public good. To highlight the benefits that AI can provide for the public, ‘ AI for Public Good ’ was established by the European AI Office , which focuses on leveraging AI in an ethical and responsible way to create positive social impact. The European Commission pursues AI for Public Good by creating AI models and algorithms to work on major societal challenges. These open access models aim to stimulate collaboration and innovation. To structure the initiative, focus areas have been

The European Commission, in collaboration with Spark Legal and Policy Consulting, Capgemini Invent, Open Evidence, a legal expert from KU Leuven, and a network of national experts from Member States, is conducting an evaluation of three key EU data laws: the Free Flow of Non-Personal Data Regulation , the Open Data Directive (ODD), and the Data Governance Act . To guide this evaluation, the Commission is inviting citizens to share their views via targeted surveys. For the ODD, the surveys examine how open data provided by public sector bodies is being reused, the impact on innovation and the

This June, the data.europa academy hosted two educational webinars, diving into the potential of open data in marine environments and public procurement. Together, these sessions welcomed over 900 registrations on 13 and 27 June . The first session,  ‘Charting the currents: the potential of open marine data’ , took place on 13 June and explored how open marine data can support sustainable ocean governance, scientific research, and innovation. Guest speakers from the Marine Analyst and a professor of applied marine science and engineering shared insights into real-world applications, ranging

Every two years, the European Parliament hosts the European Youth Event (EYE) , a unique opportunity for 16 to 30-year-old European citizens to inspire and exchange views with experts, decision-makers, and activists from across Europe. Over the course of the two-day event (13-14 June) in Strasbourg, various sessions introduced participants to the European institutions, international organisations. This year, the team of data.europa.eu got to participate and engage with over 190 young Europeans in the interactive presentation: ’Data you can trust – discover the world of open data’. With hands

29 June marks the International Day of the Tropics , highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by tropical regions globally, which equal 40% of the world’s total surface . Europe is working on stepping up its commitment to tropical sustainability through the power of open data. Whilst Europe is not part of the tropic region, its influence on tropical ecosystems is significant through trade, climate policy, research and development aid. The tropics have been central to global climate regulation, biodiversity, and food security for many communities. European institutions such as the

On 5 June 2025, the European Commission and the High Representative launched the EU’s International Digital Strategy , a new joint vision for digital cooperation in a fast-evolving global landscape. The EU is stepping up to act as a reliable and value-driven global digital partner, promoting a secure, open, and human-centric digital future. The strategy sets out three key objectives: First, expanding international partnerships through deeper Digital Partnerships and Dialogues, and a global Digital Partnership Network. Second, to launch a EU Tech Business Offer, where public and private

The Commission has created a public consultation for its upcoming European Data Union Strategy (EDUS). This strategy is an initiative aimed at defining EU data policy for the coming years and wants to focus on expanding the availability and use of data to support AI development. By doing so, the strategy can help strengthen the Commission’s role in shaping international data flows and structure the EU’s complex data regulatory framework. The public consultation is open to all citizens, businesses, researchers, and public authorities interested in participating. The consultation will run for

Lithuania’s national open data portal, data.gov.lt , serves as a user-friendly access point to more than 2 600 datasets shared by over 500 organisations. With content covering areas such as energy, environment, law enforcement, and international relations, the portal helps a wide range of users—from students and researchers to journalists and public administrators—navigate Lithuania’s data landscape with confidence and clarity. The portal’s clean, structured design makes it easy to discover relevant information, with thematic categories, advanced filtering options, and curated highlights such