Introduction to Data Spaces for Smart Communities
This foundational training provides an overview of data spaces and their significance in the context of smart communities with a focus on the core concepts, benefits and potential applications of data spaces, and their role in supporting smarter, more connected and more sustainable local ecosystems. The training also places data spaces within the broader European data strategy and explains how they contribute to smart and sustainable communities. In addition, it provides context on the DS4SSCC initiative, the role of pilot projects, the overall training programme approach, and the European Data Space for Smart Communities Blueprint.
The Connective Tissue of the Smart City Ecosystem
This lecture introduces data spaces as a key enabler for smart and sustainable cities, helping cities move from fragmented data towards better decisions and real impact. It explains why technology, AI and digital twins should support clear city outcomes rather than drive “tech-first” solutions. The session also shows how data spaces can connect different urban ecosystems, improve data sharing and interoperability, and support trusted collaboration between cities, solution providers and other stakeholders.
This lecture introduces the European Data Strategy and explains how it supports the development of common European data spaces based on trust, data sovereignty and European values. It covers the main policy and regulatory elements behind the strategy, including data protection, data sharing, data reuse and responsible digital transformation. The session also explains the concept of data spaces as decentralised ecosystems for secure and trustworthy data sharing, and shows why this approach is important for smart and sustainable communities.
Introduction to DS4SSCC Project
This lecture introduces the DS4SSCC-DEP project, its link with the previous preparatory action, and its role within the wider European data spaces landscape. It explains the main project objectives, including the creation of a federated data space, the refinement of the Data Space Blueprint, and the alignment with related European initiatives. The session also gives participants an overview of the project work packages, with a focus on pilot support, mentoring, training, feedback, ethics, impact and sustainability.
Introduction to DS4SSCC Blueprint
This lecture introduces the DS4SSCC Blueprint as a practical framework for developing data spaces for smart communities. It gives participants a first overview of how data spaces are structured and what is needed to make them work in practice, including governance arrangements, legal considerations, business models, value creation and technical pillars. The session helps participants understand how these elements fit together and why they are important for building trusted, sustainable and scalable data space initiatives.
Technical pillars and Introduction to Technical Building Blocks
This lecture introduces the technical foundations needed to implement a data space and explains how pilots can evolve from a classic data platform towards a federated data space architecture. It covers key components such as trust, access control, federation, data interoperability, data sovereignty and data value creation, including data models, data exchange, identity management, access and usage policies, publication and discovery, and value creation services. The session helps participants understand how these elements work together to enable secure, interoperable and trusted data sharing between data space participants.