Data stories

Leisure, culture and tourism are central to life across Europe – especially during the warmer months, when cafés fill up, festivals take over city squares and millions set off on holiday. This data story uses open data to explore how dining out, participating in cultural activities and seasonal travel shape everyday life and mobility across Europe. While much of the data reflects annual behaviour...

Biodiversity is under pressure across the globe, and Europe is no exception: more than 80 % of its natural habitats are currently in poor condition – a stark reminder of the need for urgent action. Healthy ecosystems are essential not only for nature itself, but also for food security, climate resilience and long-term societal well-being. The EU has placed biodiversity at the heart of its...

From remote villages gaining 5G coverage to seniors navigating e-health portals, Europe’s digital transformation is reshaping how people live, work and access public services. In 2021, the EU launched the Digital Decade policy programme to secure digital sovereignty by 2030, built on four key pillars. With 2025 marking the programme’s midpoint, this data story takes the opportunity to assess the...

Throughout Europe, public institutions are putting open data into practice to better serve citizens. Such initiatives show how open data can support modern governance by enabling citizen engagement, building trust and driving service innovation. They also demonstrate that the value of open data extends beyond its original purpose, fuelling collaboration, new insights and more responsive public...

In January 2025, Poland took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union . Succeeding Hungary , Poland now chairs the Council, commencing a trio presidency alongside Denmark and Cyprus. Under the overarching theme ‘Security, Europe!’ , Poland’s presidency places a strong emphasis on resilience – particularly in energy, agriculture and healthcare. This data story focuses on...

In March 2024, the European Commission published the 2025–2027 Horizon Europe strategic plan , outlining the EU’s priorities for research and innovation in the coming years. This forward-looking plan goes beyond funding – serving as a strategic blueprint for driving research and tackling some of the most pressing challenges faced by European citizens and businesses. The plan channels investment...

With a commitment to sustainable and greener urban development, European cities are embracing smart city initiatives. These initiatives aim to make urban areas more efficient, environmentally friendly, and inclusive. A smart city integrates digital technology to enhance traditional services and infrastructure, creating more efficient, liveable and business-friendly urban environments. This data...

The open data maturity (ODM) assessment aims to evaluate the progress of open data initiatives across Europe. In its first three years (2015–2017), ODM was measured based on two key dimensions: open data readiness and portal maturity. From 2018 onwards, the assessment evolved to incorporate four dimensions: policy, portal, quality and impact. Marking the 10th anniversary of the ODM report and the...

As data becomes more and more important in all aspects of our daily lives, the importance of clear, accurate, but also ethical and trustworthy data visualisation is undeniable. Visuals can clarify complex topics but can also mislead if not handled responsibly. In this conversation, we explore this critically important topic with Xaquín G. V., a seasoned visual journalist and data visualisation...

Winter holidays in Europe offer a unique glimpse into the diverse traditions, activities and customs that make this season memorable across different countries in the region. Public holidays during this period reflect Europe’s rich cultural, religious and national diversity, balancing shared holiday traditions with unique regional customs. This data story explores some enjoyable and light-hearted...