Throughout six engaging episodes, the Open Data Cafe podcast series , hosted by Gianfranco Cecconi, embarked on an insightful journey through the diverse world of open data. The series began with our guest, Stefaan Verhulst , exploring the transformative waves of open data, which span from the freedom of information to civic tech and the potential applications of Generative AI, laying a strong foundation for the series. Following episodes offered valuable insights into crucial aspects of open data. John Harnisher emphasised the importance of meticulous data preparation for the success of a

On December 18th, the world celebrates International Migrants Day , acknowledging the valuable contributions of migrants while shining a light on the countless challenges they face. This day stands as a testament to the resilience, strength, and aspirations of millions who, for various reasons, seek new lives in different countries. A foundation of this day is the acknowledgment of migrants' significant, yet often overlooked, role in fostering prosperity, innovation, and sustainable development in both their countries of origin and the nations they call home. International migrants, along with

In today's data-driven landscape, the harmonisation of high-value datasets stands as a pivotal strategy, stimulating data usability and efficiency. Homogenisation, the process of standardising and aligning diverse datasets, is a fundamental to improving data consistency and interoperability across various domains. According to the Open Data Directive , high-value datasets (HVDs) are explicitly associated with significant benefits for society and the economy. This approach, encompassing the standardisation of formats and quality enhancement techniques, fosters seamless integration, sharing, and

The ninth annual report measuring the level of open data maturity across Europe is published. The 2023 Open Data Maturity (ODM) Report records the progress achieved by EU Member States as they push forward open data publication and reuse, as well as the different priorities set to enable this. The year’s report is based on a self-assessment survey that was completed by 35 countries. While remaining an EU-focused exercise, in fact, the ODM 2023 includes not only the 27 EU Member States, but also 3  European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland) and 5 candidate

Last Friday on the 8 th of December, the data.europa academy hosted a compelling session, gathering a panel of industry experts and thought leaders to navigate the complexities of data ownership. This insightful forum focused on carefully examining specific data categories - provided, generated, observed, derived, and inferred - each potentially affected by the recently adopted Data Act on September 24th. Notably, the Data Act seamlessly aligns with the Data Governance Act , both critical parts of the broader European Strategy for Data . European Strategy for Data. Experts from different

10 December commemorates Human Rights Day , honouring the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) . This landmark document, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, stands as a testament to the intrinsic rights and freedoms for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, opinion, or status. This year's theme, 'Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All,' reiterates the global commitment to universal human rights, emphasising dignity, equality, and justice across the globe. Within this celebration, the UN spearheads a year-long initiative

The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) has taken significant steps towards its mission of fostering a sustainable and safe railway system without frontiers. At a dedicated press briefing yesterday, ERA announced the official launch of the ERA Railway Factsheets, an intuitive tool providing railway statistics and insights from several sources in an accessible format. Importantly, ERA presented its fundamental work on linked data and the ERA knowledge graph, a data architecture that reduces fragmentation and enables efficiency gains for the entire European railway sector. The ERA

Central to the European Commission's agenda for innovation and progress is a firm commitment to leveraging geospatial data and harnessing Artificial Intelligence's (AI) power. The recent report, 'Geospatial Trends 2023: Opportunities for data.europa.eu,' delves into emerging trends in the geospatial community, aiming to explore the transformative potential of geospatial trends and AI integration, reshaping the landscape of data-driven initiatives. The report emphasises the versatile applications of geospatial data in addressing global challenges, spanning maps, satellite imagery, and location

The Data Spaces Blueprint , unveiled recently, marks a significant moment in the European Union's expansive data strategy. It is a crucial support system for the development of data spaces within the Single European Market, emphasising secure and trustworthy data transactions, and underlining the importance of data sovereignty and trust. This framework lays the foundation for diverse data ecosystems, ensuring their robustness. As part of this strategic initiative, the Data Spaces Blueprint recognises the vital role of open data principles in the broader landscape of data space evolution

On November 30th and December 1st, the European Day of Persons with Disabilities (EDPD) unfolded in Brussels, marking a significant annual event. This two-day conference, a collaborative effort between the European Commission and the European Disability Forum, brought together over 400 policymakers, high-level experts, and disability advocates. The conference served as a crucial platform to address vital themes, including the right to vote and stand for elections, the European Year of Skills 2023, and the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030. This yearly gathering