Use Case Observatory Volume III: Tracking open data impact across Europe
Final volume reveals how open data drives innovation, inclusion, and sustainability across 13 real-world initiatives
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’ in Belgium to civic tools such as ‘waar is mijn stemlokaal?’ in the Netherlands, the report highlights how open data empowers citizens, supports public services, and fosters innovation. Socially impactful projects like Integreat and Open Food Facts demonstrate how data can improve lives, from helping migrants integrate to guiding healthier food choices. Environmentally, platforms such as Digital Forest Dryads and Air Quality in Cyprus show how open data can be used to protect forests and inform citizens about air pollution.
The report also explores broader lessons learned from long-term development. It emphasises the importance of sustainable funding, inclusive data ecosystems, and involving end users throughout the open data lifecycle. These insights are important for policymakers, data providers and innovators aiming to scale open data initiatives and maximise their societal value. The observatory calls for more holistic impact measurement frameworks that go beyond short-term metrics to capture long-lasting change.
Whether you're a data provider, civic tech developer or policymaker, the Use Case Observatory offers valuable guidance on how to unlock the full potential of open data. Explore the full report and discover how open data is shaping Europe’s digital future. If you are interested in learning more, you can find Volume I and Volume II on our website.
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