DSSC concludes first project phase. Get ready for DSSC 2!

The Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC) has formally concluded its first project phase, marking a significant milestone in Europe’s journey towards sovereign, trustworthy and interoperable data spaces. Over recent years, DSSC has played a pivotal role in transforming strategic ambition into tangible assets, fostering collaboration into commonly recognised standards, and turning vision into operational reality.

Working alongside a broad and highly engaged ecosystem of partners, experts and stakeholders, DSSC has helped establish the essential groundwork for Europe’s emerging data economy. A core achievement of DSSC lies in the development of a comprehensive portfolio of assets designed to support the implementation and scaling of data spaces across sectors. These include the DSSC Blueprint, offering a coherent and comprehensive set of guidelines to support the implementation, deployment and maintenance of data spaces; the DSSC Toolbox, a catalogue of data space component implementations; and the Data Spaces Radar, a publicly accessible tool designed to offer a panoramic view of various data space initiatives worldwide.

Further supporting alignment and interoperability, DSSC introduced its Glossary, a clear, consistent terminology to supporting shared understanding and collaboration across all DSSC activities. It offered Design Principles, as data space building blocks are modular, interoperable components that enable secure, sovereign data sharing. Complementary resources such as the Starter Kit, a clear introduction to DSSC’s asset-based approach, guiding users to key resources for designing, developing, and governing data space, the Co-Creation Method, which helped stakeholders align and navigate key business, organisational, and technical aspects of data space development and Maturity Model, have guided organisations from initial design through to operational development.

Beyond tools and frameworks, DSSC has successfully cultivated a dynamic ecosystem. Its Community of Practice (CoP) has brought together organisations, consortia and networks working across diverse sectors to develop and implement data spaces in various sectors. The CoP is a set of existing and emerging data space initiatives in all sectors and the set of (potential) data space building block implementers. The Strategic Stakeholder Forum has provided both operational support and high-level strategic guidance to ensure alignment with European policy objectives. The SSF had both an active role (helping the project to deliver) and an advisory/strategic role within the DSSC and its Network of Stakeholders (giving recommendations on the assets that are being developed, their evolution and sustainability).

DSSC has also contributed to awareness and community-building through flagship initiatives. The Data Spaces Symposium has emerged as the leading data spaces event, convening industry leaders, innovators and policymakers to advance data sharing practices. In parallel, the European Data Spaces Awards recognised excellence in data sharing and showcased best practices, reinforcing Europe’s ambitions under the European Data Union strategy.

DSSC laid the foundations for sovereign, trustworthy, and interoperable data spaces in Europe and turned strategy into assets, collaboration into standards, and vision into action. As the project transitions into its next phase, the focus shifts decisively from foundation-building to large-scale adoption. Under DSSC 2, efforts will centre on accelerating implementation, enhancing interoperability and unlocking measurable value for Europe’s data economy and its AI-driven future.

Throughout the duration of the project, BDVA contributed to the ecosystem and DSSC community efforts, dealing with over 100 organisations and initiatives that directly contribute to data spaces or whose involvement is needed for alignment. BDVA is co-coordinator observer in the EDIB in the representation of the DSSC. BDVA is part of the DSSC Technical Architecture Board, and the penholder and main contributor to the Value Creation Services Building Block, as part of the DSSC Blueprint. BDVA has also contributed to the DSSC business pillar of the DSSC Blueprint and to the co-creation method. BDVA has played a major role in the development of the European Data Spaces Awards and has contributed to the identification and synergies, as well as dissemination and communication activities of the project.

BDVA wants to extend its thanks to the European Commission, to the DSSC consortium partners, the Community of Practice (CoP), the Strategic Stakeholder Forum, the thematic groups and everyone who supported us throughout this journey! We thank you for your determination, dedication and care in helping shape European data spaces.

If the first phase established the baseline, DSSC 2 is expected to drive the next wave of impact—supporting stakeholders in operationalising data spaces at scale and enabling cross-sector integration.

Further details on this renewed phase, including its updated structure and support mechanisms, will be shared in the coming weeks. Stakeholders and data spaces enthusiasts are encouraged to follow ongoing updates and continue using the DSSC support channels for assistance.