DataVa

The value of data economy is expected to grow to 829 billion euro by 2025 in the EU. The European Union will promote the development of data economy that adheres to European values through regulation and investments in R&D. One central aspect are data spaces that enable the selling and/or sharing of data between several operators.

Data spaces enable the creation of data ecosystems, ease optimizing and sharing information of supply chains, speed the introduction of digital product passports and help develop AI solutions. Even though Finland is one of the European frontrunners in data spaces, SMEs have limited skills and knowledge about data spaces. Data economy and data spaces create new possibilities for business and data-driven business models. The companies need data economy and regulation skills to take advantage of these possibilities.

Futureproof data economy skills and data spaces to create responsible competitiveness for ICT and electronics in the Uusimaa region – also called DataVa – is a project that strengthens the readiness of companies to benefit from data economy and data spaces in the Uusimaa region.

DataVa-project increases awareness of developments in

The electronics industry was chosen because it will have a special need for data space solutions as they help the industry respond to increasing regulations and build possibilities to support the circular economy through digital product passports. The project results can later be scaled to other industries.

During this project, 30 companies from the electronics industry in the Uusimaa region will be trained in data economy and data regulation. The first training will begin in April, 2025 (read more in Finnish here).

For 50 ICT companies in the Uusimaa region will be offered resources in data spaces. The project will facilitate co-development with 2-3 ecosystems from the ICT and electronics industries to increase their ability to begin implementing data space solutions.

The project will also build the Data Spaces Alliance Finland network to strengthen European and national co-operation about data spaces. Data Spaces Alliance Finland has been established to bring together Finnish pioneers in data business and support companies in the challenges and opportunities of the data economy. The DataVa project collaborates with the alliance to make data spaces more accessible to companies and organizations.

This project brings together TIEKE ry with significant skills in developing data economy and digital skills in SMEs, and 1001 Lakes Oy with data space knowhow.