open3.at

At open3, we believe that the future of a democratic, innovative and resilient Europe depends on how we govern and use data today. That’s why we’ve taken part in the European Commission’s public consultation on the upcoming EU Data Union Strategy—a foundational roadmap for Europe’s digital future.

We’re proud to share our full submission, titled:

Let the Data Union Begin
An open, strategic response from Austria’s civic tech and data governance community

Download the full PDF submission (see entry also on ec.europe.eu)

What’s in our submission?

Our position paper is rooted in practical experience and long-term engagement with Austria’s Open Data and Open Government community. We propose actionable steps in eight key areas:

• Legal Clarity and Simplification
  Harmonise data terminology across EU laws, codify open-by-default, and simplify the regulatory landscape.

• Governance and Coordination
  Appoint national data coordinators, mandate metadata standards, and support coherent public-sector governance.

• Institutions and Infrastructure
  Fund data portals, support Data Labs and helpdesks, and embed data reuse in public services.

• High-Quality and Linked Data
  Incentivise 5-star Linked Open Data, ensure AI-ready datasets, and link EU funding to metadata quality.

• Trusted Data Flows and Resilience
  Establish certification schemes for secure cross-border data sharing and make sovereignty a design principle.

• Smart Investment in Data Spaces
  Focus on real use cases and business value, with modular governance and priority sectors like health and mobility.

• Cultural Change and International Learning
  Support storytelling and transparency benchmarking, and learn from global leaders like Korea and Singapore.

• Reducing Bureaucracy in EU Funding
  Advocate for simpler, fairer access to EU funding—especially for smaller public actors and civil society.

Why it matters

Europe has the tools and ambition to lead globally in trustworthy data governance—but only if openness, interoperability, and citizen focus become non-negotiable design principles.

This submission is our contribution to that shared vision.

Get involved

We encourage civic actors, researchers, public officials and innovators across Europe to make their voices heard as well. The consultation remains open until July 18th, and submissions can be made via the EU consultation platform.

Let’s build a Data Union that works—for the many, not just the few.