News and highlights

Last week, the European Data Portal hosted an exciting event in Tallinn, Estonia! On 2 and 3 December, 35 participants coming from 20 different countries attended a workshop designed to bring data providers from across Europe together. Over the two days, the workshop had various presentations and networking opportunities, stimulating knowledge sharing and learning opportunities. The first day was kicked off with a word of introduction by the Publications Office of the European Union. Afterwards, there was a keynote speech by the Estonian Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs (JUSTDIGI). We

Human Rights Day takes place on Wednesday, 10 December, marking the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948. This landmark document set out fundamental rights and freedoms that apply to all people, regardless of nationality, gender, or background. It is a moment to reflect on the principles of equality, dignity, and justice that underpin democratic societies worldwide. Human Rights Day is more than a moment of reflection; it is a call to action to confront today’s most pressing challenges. From protecting freedom of expression to ensuring equal access to

The European Data Portal completed a series of interactive data stories designed to show how high-value datasets can turn complex topics into clear, accessible insights. Through compelling narratives and guided visualisations , the series illustrates how open data supports public debate and evidence-based policymaking across Europe. The first story, What Water Can Take from Us , examines flooding risks in Spain and shows how climate data helps communities prepare for extreme events. Everyone’s Busy – But Not Equally explores work patterns across Europe, uncovering inequalities in how time is

The European Union has been in active pursuit of increasing the availability of data for the purpose of AI development, as well as simplifying data rules. Artificial intelligence is a driving force in the current economic and tech landscapes, as it develops new solutions for various industries and markets. To help fuel AI with high-quality data, the Data Union Strategy aims to unlock the full potential of data and complete the single market for data. With the launch of the Data Union Strategy, the EU is helping businesses stay competitive in the economy, providing researchers with data to

This week marks Black Friday, one of the most anticipated shopping events worldwide. Across Europe, millions of consumers are preparing to hunt for deals online and in stores, while retailers gear up for a surge in demand. But beyond the discounts and flash sales, there is an opportunity to make shopping smarter and more sustainable through the power of open data. Open data can provide valuable insights into pricing trends , consumer demand , and supply chain efficiency . By analysing datasets on retail performance , energy consumption , and logistics , businesses can optimise operations while

In November, the data.europa academy hosted two educational webinars, exploring the impact of interpreting and visualising climate change data and gaining further insights into the forthcoming Data Union Strategy. Together, these sessions welcomed over 1300 registrants on 7 and 28 November. The first session, 'Driving climate action with open data: visual stories and impactful reuse cases' , highlighted how open data can accelerate climate action by making information accessible and engaging. Renato Malaccorto from Open Data Charter showcased the Open Up Guide for Climate Action , which

Are you interested in learning more about how open data impacts your life on a daily basis? Then do not miss out on our upcoming data.europa academy webinar! Join us on Friday, 12 December 2025, from 10:00 to 11:30 CET for our session: ‘The final Use Case Observatory: open data with real-world impact’ . The third and final volume of the Use Case Observatory has recently been published, therefore concluding a three-year research trajectory to assess the impact of open data across Europe. This volume looks at 13 active use cases and provides an analysis of their real-world impact, taking the

The SEMIC 2025 Conference took place in Copenhagen on Tuesday 25 November, and Wednesday 26 November, bringing together experts from across Europe to explore how semantic interoperability can transform digital public services. Organised by the European Commission in collaboration with the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU , the event focused on the theme “Interoperability for Impact” and attracted over 500 participants on-site, with many more joining online. The conference began with hands-on workshops on 25 November, focusing on semantic modelling tools and methods, the evolving role

Interoperability is the backbone of Europe’s digital transformation. It enables public administrations, businesses, and citizens to interact seamlessly across borders and sectors. At the heart of this effort lies the European Interoperability Reference Architecture (EIRA), a blueprint which is designed to guide the creation of interoperable digital public services. The EIRA is a reference architecture developed under the ISA programme and is now maintained by the Digital Europe Programme . This provides a common terminology for architects and developers to use, as well as a set of Architecture

Albania’s national open data portal serves as a central platform for accessing datasets published by public institutions. The portal offers a growing collection of datasets across sectors such as governance, finance, and social development, providing citizens and organisations with tools to better understand public information. It provides data from multiple sectors, including health , education , finance , and environment , supporting citizens, researchers, and businesses in making informed decisions. To strengthen transparency and accountability, the portal enables users to explore