On Tuesday, November 26, the first UNDERPIN roadshow took place in Athens, Greece, marking a key milestone in the project’s journey to revolutionize data spaces for the manufacturing sector. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore the potential and challenges of manufacturing data spaces in Europe, with a particular focus on the UNDERPIN Data Space.
The roadshow attracted a wide range of participants, including representatives from academia, research institutions, digital European innovation hubs, renewable energy and business associations, SMEs, and industry players.
Key Takeaways from the 1st UNDERPIN Road Show Event
The event featured a two-hour discussion where attendees had the opportunity to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas on the future of data spaces, focusing on critical issues such as industry engagement, data privacy, interoperability, and the role of SMEs. We are highlighting a few key takeaways from the event.
1. Addressing the “Chicken-and-Egg” Dilemma
One of the central themes discussed was the reluctance of industries and SMEs to engage with data spaces. Industries hesitate to participate without SMEs offering solutions, while SMEs are cautious about joining without sufficient industry participation and data. To address this challenge, the UNDERPIN project highlighted the creation of its governance framework and strategic actions, such as targeted incentives (e.g., funding, grants) to foster early-stage engagement from both industries and SMEs.
Furthermore, the UNDERPIN project already has significant datasets from large industrial companies (e.g., refineries and wind farms) that provide an excellent starting point.
2. Targeting Data-Rich Companies
To expand participation in the UNDERPIN Data Space, a suggestion was made to prioritize companies with large amounts of data, even if they seem self-sufficient in terms of their data needs. These companies often possess high-quality, diverse datasets that can enrich the data space and encourage others to join. Joining a data space offers these companies several advantages, including enhanced operational efficiency, access to complementary data, and opportunities for collaborative innovations with diverse stakeholders.
3. Tackling Interoperability Challenges
Interoperability emerged as another significant challenge for data sharing. UNDERPIN partners emphasized that shared frameworks and tools are essential in overcoming this issue. Standardization plays a pivotal role by ensuring that data from different sources, formats, and systems can be seamlessly integrated and understood. Additionally, aligning data-sharing practices with legal and regulatory requirements such as GDPR is critical. Measures like access controls, encryption, and anonymization are also being implemented to protect sensitive information and increase stakeholder confidence in the data space.
4. Data Privacy and Trust in the Data Sharing Ecosystem
Addressing concerns related to data privacy was another key topic discussed at the event. UNDERPIN partners reassured attendees by explaining that the project adheres to the latest data-sharing regulatory frameworks, such as the Data Act and the Data Governance Act, ensuring compliance with current legal standards. Trust in the data-sharing ecosystem is further reinforced through the use of smart contracts, which provide secure, transparent, and automated governance of data transactions.
And to conclude
The 1st UNDERPIN roadshow was a successful and insightful event that brought together key players in the data space ecosystem to discuss critical issues and solutions for advancing data spaces in manufacturing. The discussions around overcoming challenges related to industry and SME engagement, interoperability, data privacy, and trust will continue to shape the direction of the UNDERPIN project as it moves forward. The roadshow underscored the importance of collaboration and clear governance frameworks in creating a sustainable and impactful data-sharing environment.
As the project continues to evolve, UNDERPIN remains committed to building a trustworthy, secure and sustainable data-sharing platform, ensuring that it meets the needs of both SMEs and large industry players, and in that way contributing to the future of manufacturing in Europe.
A big thank you to all the Greek partners – Motor Oil, MORE (Motor Oil Renewable Energy), Harokopio University of Athens, Watermeλon Consulting, Innov-acts, Athena Research Center, and SPACE HELLAS S.A. – for their valuable contributions and support! Together, we are building a brighter, more connected future for the manufacturing industry.
