News and highlights

The European Data Portal is committed to enhancing data literacy and making open data as accessible as possible for all users. A contributor to this mission is the Metadata Quality Assessment (MQA) tool , which plays an important role in improving the discoverability, accessibility, and usability of public sector data across Europe. Designed to evaluate the quality of metadata harvested from national and regional data portals, the MQA tool provides a structured dashboard which assesses key indicators such as compliance with DCAT-AP standards, machine readability and licensing clarity. What

The third and final volume of the  Use Case Observatory  has now been published on the European Data Portal , concluding a three-year research effort to understand the impact of open data across Europe. Managed by the Publications Office of the European Union and conducted by the European Data Portal team, this longitudinal study followed 13 open data use cases from 2022 to 2025, assessing their economic, governmental, social and environmental impact. Volume III builds on earlier findings by showcasing how these initiatives have matured over time. From job-matching platforms like ‘ Naar Jobs’

From Monday 13 October to Wednesday 15 October 2025, The European Week of Regions and Cities returns to Brussels exploring how local and regional authorities are driving sustainable growth and implementing EU policies on the ground. This annual event, co-organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and the European Committee of the Regions , is the largest of its kind focused on regional development in Europe. Now in its 23 rd edition, the event features over 100 sessions and networking opportunities around themes such as the green transition

As Europe accelerates its digital transformation, the Digital Single Market (DSM) stands as a foundation of the EU’s strategy for growth, innovation, and inclusion. By breaking down digital barriers and fostering interoperability , the DSM empowers citizens, businesses, and public administrations to fully participate in the digital economy. At its core, the DSM promotes the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital in the digital space. It supports cross-border e-commerce, harmonises digital regulations, and strengthens cybersecurity and data protection. The DSM also encourages

Malta’s national open data portal,  portal.data.gov.mt , provides users with a central entry point to explore datasets published by national authorities. The platform currently offers over 230 datasets across sectors such as planning and statistics, with a user-friendly overview of contributing publishers, including institutions like the Planning Authority and the National Statistics Office. To promote transparency and engagement, the portal allows users to  suggest new datasets ,  give feedback , and request access to data that is not yet open, with such datasets clearly flagged. This

In an era where data drives decision-making, the European Data Portal is committed to making open data more accessible and actionable. Through a large selection of tools and educational resources, the portal supports users in transforming raw datasets into meaningful visual insights. One key feature is the CSV data visualisation tool , which allows users to preview and convert CSV datasets into interactive charts directly on the portal. Users can explore different formats of data tables, filter by category, and customise visual outputs without the need for external software. This tool lowers

After a refreshing summer break, the data.europa academy returned with an inspiring September webinar, ‘Data spaces: experience from the European Tourism Data Space’ . With many open data enthusiasts returning from their holidays, it was a great opportunity to gain more insights into how tourism data is being used across Europe. We were joined by Dolores Ordóñez, coordinator from the DEPLOYTOUR project, who provided valuable insights into the development and structure of the tourism data space. She presented the project’s roadmap and rolebook , helping attendees understand the importance of

October marks the start of the annual European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM), the EU’s awareness campaign coordinated by ENISA and the European Commission. This year, with the theme ‘Think before you click’, the ECSM highlights the importance of protecting against cyber threats through digital resilience. Citizens are invited to participate in webinars and interactive sessions, both locally and internationally, to learn about topics including phishing and secure data handling. The campaign also provides free educational materials through the ECSM portal, which helps institutions strengthen their

Each year on 28 September, we mark the International Day for Universal Access to Information , a global observance led by UNESCO to promote the fundamental right of access to information. In 2025, the day marks a special milestone: the 10th anniversary of its designation by UNESCO , reflecting a decade of progress and challenges in ensuring access to information worldwide. This year’s theme, “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age”, highlights the urgent need for timely, comprehensive, and cross-border access to environmental data. From climate change and biodiversity

As of January 2024, the European Data Act has officially entered into force, marking a major milestone in Europe’s digital transformation. As part of the broader European strategy for data , the Act aims to democratise access to data, as well as foster innovation and create a fairer digital economy across Europe. As of September 2025, the full application of the Act is in place, meaning stakeholders can now work on compliance and integration into their systems. The European Data Act gives individuals and businesses the right to access data which they help generate through connected devices and