Building Europe’s data economy: Inside the Data Spaces Support Centre
How the DSSC helps organisations turn data sharing into a trusted, interoperable reality
As Europe moves towards a more data‑driven economy, the ability to share data securely and fairly has become essential. From health and mobility to energy and culture, data is increasingly created across sectors that need to work together. The Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC) was established to help make this cooperation possible, supporting the development of common European data spaces that respect European values while unlocking economic and societal benefits.
Funded by the European Union’s Digital Europe Programme, the DSSC supports public authorities, businesses, and initiatives that want to design, build, or join a data space. A data space is an environment where organisations can share data in a controlled way, ensuring trust, interoperability, and data sovereignty. Through it’s platform, the DSSC offers practical resources such as a blueprint with guidelines, a starter kit for newcomers, a toolbox of reusable components, and a shared glossary to ensure clear and consistent terminology.
Data spaces are closely connected to open data. While open data focuses on making data freely available for reuse, data spaces enable more advanced forms of data sharing where sensitive or commercially valuable data can still be accessed under agreed conditions. Open standards, transparent governance models, and reusable building blocks promoted by the DSSC help ensure that data can flow across borders and sectors, complementing Europe’s broader open data ecosystem. This approach supports innovation, strengthens trust, and allows organisations to create new services without losing control over their data.
Whether you are exploring the world of data sharing for the first time or already involved in a sectoral data space, the DSSC offers a clear starting point. Visit the DSSC website to explore the available resources, discover ongoing initiatives through the Data Spaces Radar, and learn how Europe is shaping a trusted and interoperable data future. For more updates on data, innovation, and Europe’s digital landscape, visit the European Data Portal and stay connected through our channels.
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