First-quarter recap of data stories: Discover publications between
January and March
The first quarter of 2026 has brought on a diverse set of data stories
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories] to the European
Data Portal, each highlighting how open data helps us understand
social trends, mobility behaviour, local environments, and demographic
changes across Europe. From education and accessibility to city safety
and ageing, these publications offered fresh perspectives on the role
of data in everyday life.  

We began the year with a closer look at Erasmus+ mobility
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/crossing-borders-finding-futures-inside-erasmus-mobility],
exploring how open data reveals travel patterns, popular destinations,
and long-term opportunities created through cross-border learning.
This was followed by an examination of living with disability in
Europe
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/living-disability-europe-what-open-data-shows],
where openly available datasets helped uncover variations in
accessibility, employment, and support across Member States. A broader
analysis of mobility in Europe
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/mobility-europe-what-open-data-shows-about-travel-patterns]
was then published and showed how Europeans move within and between
countries, using data to identify emerging travel habits. 

In March, two more stories were published which shed light on issues
affecting Europe’s future. The first focused on how open data can
make cities safer, healthier, and greener,
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/making-cities-safer-healthier-and-greener-open-data]
illustrating how datasets on air quality, transport, and public spaces
support urban planners and policymakers. The second explored ageing in
Europe,
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/ageing-europe-what-data-tells-us]
highlighting demographic shifts and what they mean for health systems,
social services, and communities. 

These stories demonstrate the breadth of insights made possible
through open data. Visit the European Data Portal
[https://data.europa.eu/en] to read the full publications and explore
the datasets behind them. A new quarter will bring more opportunities
to discover how data can inform decisions, inspire innovation, and
contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable Europe. 

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Publication Date/Time
2026-03-30T08:00:00+00:00
A look back at the key open data insights published at the beginning
of 2026