Why do we need building blocks for Data spaces?

Building Blocks are elements essential for designing a data space and promoting its sustainability and growth. Initially, there was a 9-block model developed by INNOPAY for the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands. Later, this model was expanded into a 12-block model through the OpenDEI.eu program. Below, you will find the modified 12-block model from the OpenDEI.eu model specifically for the i4Trust program.

Figure - Building blocks in a Data Space

These Building Blocks are tailored to meet the specific requirements of different use cases, such as smart cities, fintech, industrial IoT, or healthcare. In general, they serve the following purposes:

• Data Interoperability: These building blocks facilitate efficient data exchange among participants, enabling a complete separation between data providers and consumers.

• Data Sovereignty and Trust: These building blocks provide technical assets that ensure participants in a data space can trust each other and exercise sovereignty over the data they share

• Data value creation: These building blocks support the creation of multi-sided markets where participants can generate value out of sharing data (i.e., creating data value chains).

• Data Space Governance: These building blocks consist of a set of agreements and practices that ensure proper management, sharing, and appropriate use of data within the data space.