Diverse topics, shared impact: Looking back at recent data.europa academy webinars
From skills data spaces to crisis response and energy systems, a recap of April and May sessions
Over the past two months, the data.europa academy has hosted a series of engaging webinars, bringing together experts from across Europe to explore how data supports innovation, resilience, and decision-making. Covering a diverse range of topics, from skills development to crisis response and the energy transition, these sessions highlighted the growing importance of open data across sectors. In this news piece, we reflect on the key insights and discussions from the webinars hosted in April and May.
What does it really take to turn data into actionable insights for society? The first webinar in April explored this question through the Data Space for Skills (DS4SKILLS). Nathan Carvalho from DIGITALEUROPE introduced the initiative, explaining how it aims to improve the sharing and use of skills data across Europe. This was followed by Marcos da Silveira from LIST, who showed how data can be used to identify skills gaps, support training providers in adapting their courses, and guide job seekers towards relevant opportunities. The session provided a clear example of how structured data can directly support both policy and practice.
The following sessions expanded this perspective to other domains. The second webinar in April focused on crisis response and resilience, where Auriane Denis Loupot from DG ECHO explained how open data supports early warning systems, resource mobilisation, and coordination across borders. Inès Bedar complemented this by sharing her experiences during the COVID‑19 pandemic, illustrating how tools such as national dashboards and adapted hospital systems enabled faster, more informed decision-making. In May, the focus shifted to the energy sector. Andries de Brouwer from DG ENER outlined how data sharing contributes to grid resilience and supports Europe’s climate objectives, while Adrián Carrasco Revilla from Inetum presented the COSMIC project, demonstrating how data- and AI-driven solutions are applied in practice to optimise energy use across Europe.
All in all, the past weeks have featured a diverse and engaging set of topics, which we look back on with great interest. Curious about the webinar topics planned for the coming period? Make sure to check our event calendar to stay up to date. The next upcoming webinar will focus on smart cities, register now to make sure you do not miss it. In addition, feel free to explore the European Data Portal, where you can directly apply the insights gained during the webinars by diving into the wide range of available open datasets.
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