From the launch of major national initiatives to the consolidation of the Spanish ecosystem’s international presence, BAIDATA has played a key role in the evolution of data spaces, transforming them from an emerging concept into a practical and fully functional reality.

Below, we present the most significant milestones of the year, demonstrating continuous progress, solid maturity, and a shared vision aimed at leading Europe’s digital transformation.

Consolidating Professional Certification in Data Spaces at a Global Scale

The Data Spaces Professional Qualification Programme (DS-PQP), promoted by IDSA and BAIDATA, has undergone a decisive evolution, consolidating itself as the leading international training and professional certification reference in data spaces. The programme has reached a major milestone with the issuance of 75 certificates, marking the beginning of a new phase in its development and laying the groundwork for national and international expansion. To date, more than 175 people from 13 different countries have been trained, reflecting the growing interest in and global reach of the programme.

In addition, this year saw the successful launch of the new Data Spaces Business Consultant profile, expanding the scope beyond technical roles and strengthening the strategic and business dimension of data spaces. This expansion aims to provide companies with a more comprehensive and specialized pool of professionals, thereby facilitating the adoption of data spaces and their integration into the new European data-driven economy.

Driving the Standardization of Data Spaces in Spain

The new data economy seeks to extend the use of data across business processes and ecosystems, relying on data spaces built on common standards that foster trust, interoperability, and new business models.

To this end, the Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE) launched this year the CTN71/SC 43 subcommittee, dedicated to defining standards for data spaces aligned with European regulations and initiatives. As a reference association, BAIDATA participates as a member in shaping these standards, acting as a bridge between the public-private ecosystem and the European framework, particularly to facilitate SMEs’ integration into the data economy.

BAIDATA Reinforces Its Role as a European Reference Forum for Data Spaces

The fourth edition of the BAIDATA Forum consolidated its position as a reference event in the data economy and data spaces at the European level. More than 350 industry professionals attended a one-day event that brought together representatives from public administrations, technology companies, research centers, and sectoral organizations to discuss the present and future of strategic data use.

The event was promoted by Innovalia Association and supported by the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), Lantik, and GAIA Cluster. This year, the Forum also closed the Digital Data and AI Week, an initiative by Lantik that has turned the province into a European hub for Artificial Intelligence and the data economy.

Following its success, the 5th BAIDATA Forum will be held on 11 June 2026 at the Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao. In its fifth edition, the Forum will once again serve as a strategic meeting point to discuss economic and technological development.

Connecting Data Spaces and Digital Twins: A Strategic Alliance

The combination of data spaces and digital twins is providing a new boost toward the sustainable digitalization of European industry. In this context, BAIDATA signed a strategic agreement with the Industrial Digital Twin Association (IDTA) to promote the adoption of the industrial digital twin in Spain and to connect this technology with data spaces—key enablers of a more efficient and interconnected economy.

The agreement, presented during the 4th BAIDATA Forum, highlighted the role of digital twins in initiatives such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and their contribution to more transparent and sustainable value chains.

As a continuation of this collaboration, BAIDATA participated as an associated entity in the IDTA Tech Days 2025, exploring use cases based on the Asset Administration Shell (AAS), the Digital Product Passport, and interoperability between data ecosystems.

Key Support for the Sectoral Data Spaces Acceleration Plan

The promotion of sectoral data spaces in Spain has positioned the country as one of Europe’s leading references in the data economy. The Sectoral Data Spaces Acceleration Plan has reached a qualitative milestone, with 32 Demonstration Centers, 131 Use Cases, and 103 Products and Services approved, supported by more than €169 million in public investment.

In this context, BAIDATA has provided decisive support to its members, offering guidance, mentoring, and strategic assistance throughout the process. The experience and solidity of the BAIDATA ecosystem are reflected in the effective deployment of all its strategic projects.

These results reaffirm the association’s role as a catalyst for public-private collaboration and a strategic partner, contributing to the consolidation of an interoperable, trustworthy, and sovereign data economy in Spain.

A Growing Ecosystem: More Regions, More Collaboration, More Impact

2025 has been a key year for the consolidation and territorial expansion of the BAIDATA ecosystem. Throughout the year, we have continued to strengthen the network by incorporating new regions and entities, reinforcing the implementation of the data economy across the country and reflecting increasingly solid public-private cooperation.

With active presence in territories such as the Basque Country, Community of Madrid, Galicia, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Valencian Community, this growth reflects a model capable of connecting regional efforts with the European digital agenda. BAIDATA strengthens its role as a driver of a collaborative ecosystem, where data becomes a lever for innovation, growth, and digital transformation for all.

The progress achieved in 2025 confirms that data spaces are no longer an emerging concept but a real lever for competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability. BAIDATA has demonstrated its ability to articulate ecosystems and connect initiatives at both national and international levels, always with a vision aligned with European values of digital sovereignty, interoperability, and collaboration.

We face 2026 with the commitment to continue supporting our members, strengthening strategic alliances, and accelerating the adoption of data spaces across all sectors. The path toward a robust, interconnected, and impactful data economy is already underway, and BAIDATA will remain a key player in its construction.
If you would like to join us on this exciting journey, you can contact us to become a BAIDATA member through this short form. We look forward to welcoming you!