News & Insights

Digital Slovenia 2030 strategy

Stemming from the European Data Strategy, which is the first pillar of the EU’s Digital Strategy, the country has developed its own overarching strategy: Digital Slovenia 2030. This defines data as a strategic raw material and driver of the ‘Smart Society 5.0’, and emphasises the vital necessity of providing up-to-date, timely and comprehensive data. In line with this, the Ministry of Digital Transformation is coordinating the sequence of steps that will establish data spaces in Slovenia as part of the country’s sustainable digital transformation. 

The event opened with a speech by State Secretary Dr Aida Kamišalić Latifić, and Federico Milani from DG CONNECT (the European Commission’s Data Policy and Innovation unit) presented the data spaces situation from an EU perspective. 

Strikingly, the consultation had a very practical focus on the development of data spaces. For example, Ines Vlahovič, member of the Business Model Expert Group at the European Data Space Support Centre (DSSC), stressed the importance of precise regulations or rules in data space management, and the value of synergies between data spaces and their desired connectivity. Numerous data space blueprints were shared for various sectors, including tourism, agri-food, knowledge and skills, and smart communities.   

3 steps to the successful initiation of a data space

In addition to these blueprints, in an online presentation INNOPAY’s Mariane ter Veen shared her insights and inspiration from real-life Dutch co-creation projects from sectors including construction (Data Space for the Built Environment [DSGO]), logistics and finance (Green Loans [HDN & EDSN]) to demonstrate the benefits of using the right data. She reminded the attendees that, when establishing data spaces, it is best to start from a simple question: which specific issues do you want to solve with a data space?

Summing up, she outlined the three steps to the successful initiation of a data space: 

1. Start with use cases that stem from concrete challenges which need solving
2. Involve all stakeholders for co-creation, keep a steady heartbeat and deliver agreements for public review 
3. Focus on adoption

Strong awareness of the benefits of data spaces

During the conference, it became clear that Slovenian stakeholders already have a strong awareness of the benefits of data spaces. Moreover, it  showed that there is buy-in and enthusiasm from local stakeholder groups. Supported by the availability of EU-level materials and resources, such as the blueprints from the Data Space Support Center (DSSC), various Slovenian sectors are poised to kick off their first data space initiatives. If they follow the three steps to initiation, starting with developing a concrete use case to solve the challenge at hand, we are sure that we will see many of these great ideas being turned into successful data spaces. This will result in a long-lasting positive impact on Slovenia’s economy and social sphere through data sharing. 

Contact us for support with data spaces 

If you and your stakeholders are interested in developing a data space to support your sustainable digital transformation, or if you are simply keen to learn more about this topic, feel free to reach out to mariane.terveen@innopay.com.