On 10 February 2026, Madrid became the meeting point of Europe’s data community as the first edition of the European Data Spaces Awards crowned its winners.
Held in the framework of the Data Spaces Symposium 2026 - the world’s leading event dedicated to data spaces - the ceremony marked a milestone for Europe’s rapidly evolving data economy. Representatives from the Law and Internet Foundation (LIF) attended the event, engaging with key stakeholders and following closely the latest developments in European data governance and interoperability.
Why the European Data Spaces Awards Matter
Organised by the Data Spaces Support Centre with the support of the European Commission, the awards celebrate outstanding European initiatives that:
- Drive innovation through trusted data sharing
- Demonstrate robust governance models
- Create measurable real-world and financial impact
- Foster cross-sector collaboration
- Strengthen Europe’s data sovereignty
At a time when Europe is actively shaping its regulatory and strategic framework for data -from horizontal data governance instruments to sectoral data spaces - recognising best practices is both symbolic and strategic.
The awards ceremony offered a unique opportunity for pioneers, policymakers, SMEs, research organisations, and industry leaders to connect and exchange ideas on the future of interoperable, sovereign data ecosystems.
Two Categories, Six Finalists, One Shared Vision
After a competitive evaluation process, six finalists were selected across two categories:
Category 1: Excellence in End-User Engagement and Financial Sustainability
Finalists:
- Catena-X - a collaborative data ecosystem for the automotive value chain
- data.gouv.fr - a shared public data ecosystem across key societal domains
- DjustConnect - an agri-food data space focused on transparency and farmer ownership
Category 2: Most Innovative Emerging Data Space
Finalists:
- DEPLOYTOUR - connecting tourism with mobility, smart cities, culture, and more
- SM4RTENANCE - a cross-sector manufacturing data space covering the full asset lifecycle
- sphin-X e.V.- advancing discoverable and usable health data across pharma, medtech, and research
And the Winners Are…
Category 1 - Excellence in End-User Engagement and Financial Impact
Winner: DjustConnect
DjustConnect demonstrated how collaborative data sharing can empower stakeholders, particularly farmers, while delivering measurable impact across the agri-food sector.
Its model shows that data spaces are not merely technical infrastructures, but governance-driven ecosystems capable of balancing transparency, value creation, and data sovereignty.
Category 2 - Most Innovative Emerging Data Space
Winner: sphin-X e.V.
sphin-X e.V. impressed the jury with its approach to healthcare data collaboration. By preserving data sovereignty for all stakeholders, the initiative builds trust, increases efficiency, and generates added value across the health ecosystem.
In a sector where data sensitivity is paramount, sphin-X provides a compelling example of how innovation and regulatory compliance can reinforce one another.
More Than Awards: A Signal for Europe’s Data Economy
Beyond the awards themselves, the event underscored several important trends:
- Data spaces are becoming operational and scalable across sectors
- Governance and trust are central to sustainable data sharing
- Cross-sector collaboration is essential for Europe’s digital competitiveness
- Legal and regulatory clarity remains a key enabler of innovation
For the Law and Internet Foundation, participation in the event reaffirmed the importance of continuing to monitor, analyse, and contribute to discussions on European data governance, digital sovereignty, and interoperable data ecosystems.
The European Data Spaces Awards represent not only recognition of excellence, but also a clear signal: Europe’s data-driven future is being built collaboratively and governance will determine its success.
