News and highlights

The European Commission continues to strengthen cross-border digital services through solutions like eDelivery , part of the Digital Europe programme . eDelivery allows organisations to exchange documents and data securely and reliably across sectors and countries. By providing a standardised approach to digital communication, it supports cooperation between public administrations, businesses, and citizens, contributing to a more connected and efficient European digital landscape. At its core, eDelivery is built on open standards and technical specifications that create a network of

From 1 July 2026, INSPIRE datasets will be searchable and accessible through the European Data Portal, making it easier to discover geospatial information alongside millions of other public sector datasets from across Europe. As part of this transition, the INSPIRE Geoportal will be retired on 1 July 2026. This move ensures continued access to INSPIRE datasets, while making them easier to discover through a more integrated data ecosystem. The European Data Portal provides a single access point to data published by public administrations and organisations throughout Europe. By bringing INSPIRE

OpenMercantil is a Spanish initiative that demonstrates how public data can be reused to make mercantile and company information more accessible for a wide audience. By bringing together data from public sources into a single platform, it allows users to search, explore, and better understand company activities. This creates an access data ecosystem, supporting transparency, informed decision-making and public trust in the economy. Through the OpenMercantil project website , users can access company pages, structured event timelines, and detailed source notes that explain where the data comes

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to become one of the most ambitious sporting events ever organised, bringing together fans from around the world. Taking place from Thursday, 11 June to Sunday, 19 July 2026, the tournament will be hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As the first World Cup to span three nations, it promises a unique, continent-wide celebration of football, featuring vibrant host cities and an expanded global audience eager to engage with the game. This edition will also mark a major shift in the tournament’s structure. For the first time, 48

A new dataset versioning feature on the European Data Portal now allows users to track how datasets evolve over time. Each time a dataset is harvested or when a data provider updates its metadata, a new version is automatically created. This ensures that users can access datasets exactly as they were at a specific moment, supporting accurate use and reuse of data across Europe. The feature responds to a growing need for reliability and traceability in open data publication. With versioning in place, users can select and download a dataset from a particular point in time, such as financial

The Cedefop skills forecast is an online tool that explores how jobs and skills are expected to change across Europe in the coming years. Developed by the European Center for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) , it provides insights into future employment trends by sector, occupation, and level of education. The aim is simple: to help governments, businesses, and individuals make better decisions about training, careers, and workforce planning. The forecast is based on harmonised data and a shared method applied across all EU Member States, allowing for easy comparison between

Every June, Pride celebrations take place across Europe, bringing visibility to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) communities and advocating for equal rights. In 2026, these events coincide with the implementation of the European Commission’s LGBTQI+ equality strategy , which aims to ensure that everyone in the EU can live freely and safely. As Pride highlights both progress and ongoing challenges, data plays a key role in understanding the real-life experiences behind these celebrations. Across the EU, research shows a mixed picture. Findings from the European Union

A few years ago, a group of volunteers on a European beach collected thousands of plastic items in just a few hours: bottles, fishing nets, and microplastics hidden in the sand. What started as a local clean-up quickly became part of a global movement. On Monday, 8 June, the world comes together once again to celebrate World Oceans Day , a moment to reflect on the vital role oceans play in our everyday lives and the urgent need to protect them. Covering more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, oceans are essential to life on this planet. They help regulate the climate, absorb carbon dioxide, and

What if the changes we see around us, hotter summers, heavier rainfall, or disappearing green spaces, are part of a larger story? Each year, World Environment Day invites us to pause and reflect on these signals and, more importantly, to consider how we respond. Taking place on Friday, 5 June 2026, this global initiative encourages people everywhere to rethink their relationship with the environment and take action to safeguard it for future generations. Organised by the United Nations since 1972, World Environment Day has grown into the largest international initiative for environmental

What if your medical history could safely follow you wherever you go in Europe? Whether you are travelling, studying, or working abroad, accessing your health records quickly could make a crucial difference in your care. The European Health Data Space (EHDS) Regulation is designed to make this a reality, marking a major step towards a more connected and patient-centred healthcare system across the EU. At its core, the EHDS introduces a common framework for the use and exchange of electronic health data between Member States. It strengthens individuals’ rights by giving them greater access to