Data & Cloud Sovereignty in Practice: Exploring Opportunities, Use Cases & Implementation Pathways for the Open Data Space Lab (ODL)

By dotSPACE, NVWA, RWS, I&W

Workshop

EVENT OVERVIEW

Starts:
28/05/2026
At 12:00
CEST
Ends:
28/05/2026
At 16:45
CEST
Location:
Noorwijk,
Netherlands

EXTRA INFORMATION

– Organiser: dotSPACE, NVWA, RWS, I&W
– Condition to participate: Registration is subject to approval
– Language: English
– Virtual or in-person: In-person

As part of the practical adoption of the Open Data Space Lab (ODL), this workshop brings together industry experts, public organisations, and technology stakeholders to explore the growing importance of data- and cloud sovereignty within emerging European digital ecosystems such as GAIA-X and the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem. The workshop will examine how sovereign data infrastructures, trusted data sharing frameworks, and interoperable cloud environments can support secure collaboration, regulatory compliance, and innovation across sectors, including space, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.

The workshop aims to:

  • Explain the value and strategic importance of ODL
  • Explore practical implementation opportunities and constraints
  • Discuss the implications of the AI Act and Data Act
  • Share onboarding approaches and briefing mechanisms for organisations
  • Showcase real-world sector use cases and collaborative opportunities
  • Facilitate cross-sector dialogue between technology providers, government, and industry

Participants will join keynote discussions and hands-on working groups on real operational challenges to help organisations create a common operational picture across domains and stakeholders.

Who should participate

Industrial and operational stakeholders working on data-driven monitoring, critical infrastructure resilience, and sovereign data ecosystems, including:

  • Infrastructure, energy, water, and port operators 
  • Engineering and industrial technology companies 
  • Space, Earth Observation, and geospatial data providers 
  • AI, digital twin, and cloud solution providers 
  • Public authorities and operational agencies

Please note that registration for the workshop is subject to approval due to limited capacity and the targeted nature of the workshop audience.

Preliminary Agenda

12:00 – 12:30 | Welcome & Lunch Hosted at CometLab (Noordwijk)

  • Introduction to SatInsight / ODL
  • Moderator: Martijn Seijger (dotSPACE Foundation)

12:30 – 14:00 | Keynote Sessions

Topics include:

  • GAIA-X / ODL Framework
    Willem Morsink and Friso van der Burg (15 mins, including Q&A)
  • Stack Development
    Joris Kruse, NL4AIC (25 mins, including Q&A)
  • Introduction to Working Group Topics
  • Brief presentations by topic owners (15 mins each, including Q&A):
    1. NVWA: Fisheries
    Dakshin Victor John (NVWA)
    2. Agriculture: Bruinrot
    Frans Janssen (NVWA, online)
    3. Tree as a Sensor / Dike Management / Cooling Water Discharges
    Mattijs Erberveld (RWS)

14:00 – 15:40 | Working Groups

The purpose of the working group is to create a shared understanding between stakeholders and collaboratively explore business value, collaboration model, technical feasibility, governance implications and operational responsibilities.

1. NVWA: Fisheries
Moderator: Dakshin Victor John (NVWA)
2. Agriculture: Bruinrot
Moderators: Joris Kruse (NL4AIC), Andrei Bocin-Dumitriu (dotSPACE Foundation)
3. Tree as a Sensor / Dike Management / Cooling Water Discharges
Moderators: Mattijs Erberveld, Emma Blanken (RWS)

15:40 – 16:00 | Conclusions (Plenary)

  • Summary of key findings
  • Reflections from working groups
  • Opportunities for follow-up collaboration and implementation

(Optional)17:00 – 19:00 | Network & Drinks

Networking session to meet the space community at SBIC Noordwijk (within walking distance). Participants will be invited to share insights and outcomes during a series of short one-minute pitches.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

  • Contribute to practical cross-sector use cases and future collaboration initiatives
  • Gain a clearer understanding of the Open Data Space Lab (ODL) and sovereign cloud/data ecosystems
  • Identify implementation opportunities within their own organisations
  • Better understand legal and governance implications
  • Connect with relevant partners and stakeholders

Organisers

This workshop is organised by Groundstation.space together with The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management (RWS) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water (I&W).