eGA supports the practical implementation of the Data Governance Act in Europe

Europe is working to unlock the value of public sector data while ensuring it can be reused securely and in line with EU rules. A new project funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) will support Croatia, Estonia, Germany and the Netherlands in implementing key provisions of the Data Governance Act (DGA).

Implemented by the e-Governance Academy (eGA) in cooperation with the European Commission, the project focuses on developing practical approaches that help national statistical institutes translate EU rules into workable practices for the secure reuse of protected public sector data.

The project was officially launched last week in Zagreb at a kick-off event that brought together representatives from the European Commission and beneficiary institutions. The event was opened by Judit Rózsa, Director for the Technical Support Instrument at the European Commission, and Mr Damir Habijan, Minister of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation of Croatia.

During his opening remarks, Damir Habijan emphasised that the project enables access to anonymised data within a secure environment, thereby changing the current approach to data management and unlocking the value of public sector data for citizens, researchers and the economy.

Lidija Brković, Acting Director General of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, highlighted that the technical support project plays a key role in creating a harmonised European data space where all participants operate transparently, securely and efficiently.

“In the coming period, we will analyse the needs of public sector bodies and strengthen our capacities accordingly. I believe that, by working together, we can further strengthen Croatia’s position in the European data space and turn the DGA into a real opportunity for progress,” said Lidija Brković.

In the long term, improved data reuse can translate data policy into tangible benefits for citizens.

“When statistical and administrative data can be securely reused across institutions, governments gain stronger insights into issues such as housing trends, mobility patterns or healthcare needs. These insights can help design more effective public services, improve policy planning and support research and innovation that benefits society,” added Priit Vinkel, Project Team Lead at the e-Governance Academy.

The project is funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by the e-Governance Academy (eGA) in cooperation with the European Commission, with support from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, Statistics Netherlands, Statistics Estonia and the Federal Statistical Office of Germany.

About SG REFORM 

The European Commission’s Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM) supports EU Member States in designing and implementing reforms that strengthen economic growth and competitiveness. The project is part of the action “Support to EU Member States in the implementation of reforms under the Technical Support Instrument: Governance & Public Administration”, implemented by the e-Governance Academy. The action supports the public administration reform efforts of Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands to build more resilient public institutions, encourage investments, as well as support sustainable economic and social development across the European Union.