Recognising excellence in European data sharing
The European Data Spaces Awards recognise the best-in-class initiatives that are shaping Europe’s data sharing infrastructure and future, in line with the European Data Union Strategy and the AI Continent Action plan. Building on the success of the inaugural edition, this year’s Awards will once again highlight real-world achievements across the European data space ecosystem — from meaningful end-user engagement and financial sustainability to emerging innovation and impact.
The awards are organised by the Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC) in collaboration with the European Commission. Winners and nominees will be announced at the Data Spaces Symposium 2027 in Brussels, in March 2027.
Two categories. One community.
Three steps to your application.
Everything is designed to be straightforward — from assessing your readiness to submitting your final application.
Frequently Asked Questions
The European Data Spaces Awards 2027 are open. Find answers to the most common questions below and get started on your application.
Data is one of Europe's greatest economic assets. The upcoming European Data Union strategy aims to establish a genuine internal market for data, supporting the EU's capacity to develop AI at scale. Across Europe, data is widely distributed among public and private stakeholders within the Digital Single Market. The success of European industrial data markets will depend on instruments that guarantee trust, ensure data sovereignty, and deliver a fair distribution of the value generated from data use.
The European Data Spaces Awards were established to recognise best-in-class European data sharing initiatives. Highlighting the achievements of selected initiatives increases their visibility and promotes practices that others can learn from and build on.
The awards are organised by the Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC) in collaboration with the European Commission and are closely aligned with the Maturity Model for Common European Data Spaces. The 2027 edition is the second edition of the European Data Space Awards. The inaugural edition received 61 applications across both award categories. Applications were evaluated by 16 reviewers from the DSSC community and a seven-member expert jury and the results were announced during the DSS 2026 with DJustConnect bring the winner of the 1st award category and Sphin-X the winner of the 2nd award category.
There are two categories:
Excellence in End-User Engagement and Financial Sustainability
This award recognises data spaces that demonstrate a strong focus on end users alongside a viable long-term financial model.
Most Innovative Emerging Data Space
This award celebrates newer initiatives that bring fresh approaches and meaningful innovation to the European data space ecosystem.
Applications are assessed against the DSSC Maturity Model for Common European Data Spaces. Across both categories, evaluators consider:
Diversity of participants, including representation from multiple EU Member States
Meaningful engagement of SMEs
Availability of solutions under an open license for reuse by others
Data sharing approaches that support AI applications
A clear end-user focus
A viable and sustainable business model
Applications are submitted through an online form on dssc.eu. The form is structured around the two award categories and the DSSC Maturity Model. Applicants describe a solution active within their data space and explain its relevance to the selected category.
DSSC produces a shortlist of three candidates per category, assessed in alignment with the Maturity Model. An expert jury then selects one winner per category from the shortlist. Shortlisted nominees are informed in advance so they can prepare for potential recognition at the Data Spaces Symposium 2027.
There is no monetary prize. Awardees receive strong visibility through DSSC and European Commission communication channels and a place on stage at the Data Spaces Symposium 2027. All shortlisted nominees are included in promotional activities.
Any data space may apply, regardless of funding source, provided it meets the following conditions:
The governance authority of the data space is registered in the EU
The data space is actively used to share data
The data being shared includes restricted data, not only open data
Data spaces may apply to one or both categories. Participation in DSSC-facilitated Maturity Assessment exercises does not exempt an initiative from submitting an application.