The EU-funded UNDERPIN project officially concluded last week with a final plenary meeting held on 25 November, followed by a public Gaia-x conference titled “Shaping the Future of Dataspaces” on 26 November in Athens.
Over the course of two years, UNDERPIN successfully embraced the European vision for industrial data spaces and delivered a fully operational Manufacturing Data Space designed to serve critical sectors such as oil and gas, renewables, and discrete manufacturing.
The final event in Athens was a testament to what a coordinated and cross-border collaboration can achieve when guided by clear objectives, a strong consortium, and a shared commitment to Europe’s digital vision. UNDERPIN from its very start, had the mission to develop a useful, reusable, and impactful data space for trusted data sharing. Thus, the project progressed from requirement gathering and architectural design to full deployment, industrial use-case validation, and the development of a business and sustainability framework that enables future operation beyond the project’s lifetime.
At a time when Europe is defining its data governance and digital infrastructure for the upcoming years, UNDERPIN’s contribution is significant. Data spaces are not theoretical constructs; they are the building blocks of Europe’s digital autonomy. They provide companies with a secure, trusted environment to exchange data while maintaining control and sovereignty. UNDERPIN’s data space proves that this vision is not only achievable but also technically and legally viable.
In industrial terms, UNDERPIN showed how real data – coming from refineries and wind farms – can be securely shared, semantically harmonised, and enriched through AI to improve predictive maintenance, reduce unplanned downtime, and increase the sustainability of industrial operations.
In parallel to its technical success, the project demonstrated its dedication to responsible dissemination, community engagement, and standardisation. UNDERPIN established a strong brand presence, participated in dozens of strategic events, organised three European Road Shows, and launched a deep collaboration with other initiatives, most notably through a series of joint deep-dive sessions with the SM4RTENANCE project and the common organisation of a datathon with the Flex4res project and the EIT Manufacturing SE. The consortium worked closely with standardisation bodies like IDSA and DSSC, and relevant communities to ensure alignment with Europe’s broader data strategy.
The final plenary in Athens brought together all project partners for a retrospective of key outcomes and an open dialogue about future opportunities for the Data Space. It was followed by a public presentation at the GAIA-X conference. Far from being a one-off pilot, the UNDERPIN Data Space is ready to serve as a blueprint for future deployments across European industries.
This marks the formal end of the project, but not the end of its story. UNDERPIN has proven that EU-funded initiatives can deliver real, measurable outcomes when built on collaboration, technical excellence, and a clear commitment to Europe’s digital future. The journey now moves from project to product, from research to reuse, and from consortium to community.
