Fair Data Economy

We are building a human-driven, fair data economy based on European values. The use of data creates well-being and competitiveness and helps to develop societies. Fairness means that the interests of individuals, businesses and society are balanced.

Latest

What’s up?

Opinion

An ecosystem can’t do anything with technology if the culture isn’t right

publications

Development phase of data-driven ecosystems and networks 2023

news

Digital service users need more leeway to use the data collected on them

publications

Data-driven Competitiveness (summary)

news

Businesses look to data to boost competitiveness – new Sitra handbook shows how

publications

Ensuring European leadership in the data economy

news

Europe must ensure its competitiveness – Sitra’s proposals for the EU to boost the data economy

Collection

24 interesting data economy solutions from Finland

news

The most innovative data-driven solutions could be Finland’s next success stories

Questions and answers

The EU wants to get rid of ghost cars – could Finland take the lead in car recycling using a new digital platform?

Results of the work

Sitra boosts health sector development in Europe – harnessing data for quality healthcare

Health innovation ecosystems need top research, professionals, technology and data.
Collection

Health sector drivers found in collaborative networks using data with fair rules

news

Finland leads in use of digitalisation

publications

Technology Landscape of Data Spaces

Collection

New methods can make drug trials easier, but problems remain

Collection

Digital health apps make everyday life smoother, but savings come later

What is it about?

There has been an explosion in the volume of data worldwide. This provides opportunities for transforming the economy and society. Data can be used to produce better services and well-being, and the ability to use data is required to solve the sustainability crisis.

Our digital everyday life generates data, the refinement of which into knowledge demands a wide range of competence and resources from companies. At the same time, completely new solutions can be created and businesses can strengthen their competitiveness with their data-related expertise.

Data-related expertise is needed in different branches of public administration, in the corporate world, and in legislation, business, media and manufacturing.

A society and economy that makes use of data requires a high level of trust to be able to work. At the individual level, the right to one’s own data is considered to be a fundamental right in the digital era.

There is no time to waste in getting aboard the data economy and building its future. With the United States and China as the international front runners, Europe has some catching up to do.

In Europe, the transition to a data-driven society is founded upon European values, human orientation and fairness. The objective is technology that works for the people, a fair and competitive economy and an open, democratic and trust-based society.

Our aim is that Finland will become home to an international, pioneering, fair and sustainable data economy. Finland is alreadt recognised as a global pioneer in the use of health data thanks to the country’s high tech and health expertise, business-friendly operating environment and strong data repositories.

What are we doing?

We are promoting change in economic structures, for example through regulation and rules, and increasing decision-makers’ understanding of the data economy. We are influencing the measures that are vital to Finland’s competitiveness, bringing societal decision-makers, researchers, NGOs and trailblazing businesses from different countries together.

Our aim is to reform the data market to ensure it is sustainable and competitive by promoting the operating models of a fair data economy. We are building an understanding of the meaning of trust, with organisations sharing data for joint use under pre-agreed terms and conditions.

We are developing practical tools for businesses operating in the data market so that they can benefit from data and its shared use. And we are continuing to co-operate with Finnish and European innovation ecosystems.

In line with the EU’s digital strategy, our goal is to lay a foundation for successful digital services of the future and contribute to the emergence of an internal market for data.

We are strengthening individuals’ opportunities to exercise an influence in the use of data and digital services and enhancing data literacy in Finland. We want to make the data literacy world-class.

European states and corporations have joined forces to reinforce their independence from international technology giants by launching the pan-European Gaia-X project. This aims to create rules and operating models based on European values for data ecosystems that openly share data. We are responsible for co-ordinating the Finnish Gaia-X hub.

The monthly “Data economy situation room” online event answers practical questions and presents solutions on the data economy.

We are preparing the Health through data project, in which we will build sustainable wellbeing for the future and strengthen the use of social and health data in Finland and Europe together with the industry and public sector. We are also coordinating the TEHDAS2 joint action project to streamline the safe use of EU health data. The joint action project is due to start in May 2024.

We are preparing new initiatives to support the development of the data economy.

What has been achieved?

We have clarified what the implementation of a fair data economy requires in practice and how trust can be built in the digital era. Between 2018 and 2021, our IHAN project developed new operating models and tools and tested their usability with pilot projects.

During 2020, we launched a IHAN project testbed. Tools built around it have facilitated the creation of a networked data economy and accelerated the development of the data economy. The IHAN project has published a Rulebook for a Fair Data Economy, among other things.

The work in the pilots has helped companies create new business with data and increased their preparedness to adapt to post-pandemic times. Also, extensive training materials have been produced for strengthening capabilities.

We have investigated the trust of individuals in digital everyday life. We created an online test for users of digital services to help people understand their own online behaviour and provide support for managing it better. Our digital footprint survey investigated the flow of data collected about individuals online, with the aid of voluntary test subjects.

We have produced numerous reports and studies on the data economy to support decision-making in Finland and in the wider EU. In addition, we have prepared opinions and statements for Finnish and EU-level strategies and legislative and other initiatives.

Co-operation with decision-makers and authorities, such as ministries and the European Commission, has been important in ensuring that due attention is paid to this new area of the economy and politics.

We accelerated the secure use of health data in partnership with public and private sector in our Health data 2030 project 2021-2023, and coordinated the EU Health TEHDAS joint action project. Our long-term work led to a coordinating role for Sitra in the follow-up project TEHDAS2.

Read more about the principles, frameworks and tools of a fair data economy (pdf).

Projects

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Health through data

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Roadmap for a Fair Data Economy

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Competitiveness through data

A robot under a big tree
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Gaia-X Finland

PROJECTS

Digipower investigation

PROJECTS

Generative AI pilot projects

PROJECTS

Digital Product Passports

PROJECTS

Study on Data Strategy 2.0

PROJECTS

Basics of the Data Economy

PROJECTS

Use of health data in RDI activities

projects

The state of development of data ecosystems and networks survey

Hankekokonaisuus

Pilot projects: Competitiveness through data

PROJECTS

Data Spaces Support Centre

Maapallo joka koostuu nollista ja ykkösistä, varpuja sen ympärillä, metsämaaston päällä. Vieressä hyppäävä ihminen, sieni ja robotti, joka sanoo "Terv...!"
PROJECTS

Planetary health

PROJECTS

Pilot projects: Using data to curb energy use

PROJECTS

EU regulation opens up opportunities in the data economy

PROJECTS

Preparation of decentralised drug trials

PROJECTS

Data economy tools in health sector ecosystems

PROJECTS

Growth from Data programme

PROJECTS

Pilot projects: Digital therapeutic experiments

Completed projects

Text Health data 2030 on top of the Europe's map.
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Health data 2030

PROJECTS

Joint action Towards the European Health Data Space – TEHDAS

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IHAN® project

Publications

Dive in deep.

publications

Development phase of data-driven ecosystems and networks 2023

publications

Data-driven Competitiveness (summary)

publications

Ensuring European leadership in the data economy

publications

Technology Landscape of Data Spaces

publications

How to build a sustainable world with Web 3.0?

publications

Enabling the responsible use of technology at scale

publications

The planet and us (summary)

publications

Towards a Holistic EU Data Governance

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Planetary health

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Is the European Health Union ready for the challenges of the 21st century?

publications

Advancing data sharing to improve health for all in Europe

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The right to data portability in the fair data economy

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Towards planetary health (summary)

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Rulebook for a fair data economy (French edition)

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The Finnish health sector growth and competitiveness vision 2030

publications

Powering the social health and social care system with data (summary)

Events

Live and online.

The audience is looking at the stage with a large screen and the text "Nordic Data Festival 2024" on it.
Event

Nordic Data Festival 2024

Helsinki, Wednesday, Apr 10
A green heart in the robot's hand
Symposium

Data Spaces Symposium 2024

Tuesday – Thursday, Mar 12 – Mar 14
Webinar

Unlocking the potential of data models in the health sector

Monday, Mar 11
Networking event

Gaia-X Finland: Data Sharing for Breakfast

Wednesday, Mar 06
Launch event

Ensuring European leadership in the Data Economy – Ten priorities for the European Union

Bruxelles, Tuesday, Jan 23
A robot under a big tree
Networking event

Gaia-X Finland: Data Sharing for Breakfast

Thursday, Nov 30
events

Slush Side Event: Regulations, compliance and tech – Oh My! The future of Europe’s digital economy

Helsinki, Thursday, Nov 30
Kirjain X, jonka päällä on maapallon kuva
Event

Gaia-X Summit 2023

Thursday – Friday, Nov 09 – Nov 10
Kirjain X, jonka päällä on maapallon kuva
Webinar

Navigating Data Spaces: Technology & Governance

Thursday, Nov 23
Robortti suuren puun alla
Networking event

Gaia-X Finland: Data Sharing for Breakfast

Thursday, Sep 21
Robortti suuren puun alla
Networking event

Gaia-X Finland: Data Sharing for Breakfast

Thursday, May 11
Map of Europe and text TEHDAS Stakeholder forum
Event

TEHDAS Stakeholder forum 2023

Wednesday, Jun 14
Health innovation ecosystems need top research, professionals, technology and data.
Event

Reverse pitching: Health data and health tech solutions

Thursday, Mar 16
Event

Radical Health Festival Helsinki 2023

Monday – Wednesday, Jun 12 – Jun 14
Symposium

Data Spaces Symposium

Tuesday – Thursday, Mar 21 – Mar 23
Robortti suuren puun alla
Networking event

Gaia-X Finland: Data Sharing for Breakfast

Thursday, Mar 09

Contact us

Give us a call!

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Kristo Lehtonen
Director, Fair data economy
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Anna Pulli
Assistant, Fair data economy
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Jyri Arponen
Director, Industry and Innovation
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Anssi Komulainen
Project Director, Gaia-X Finland
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Laura Halenius
Project Director, Competitiveness through data
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Markus Kalliola
Project Director, Health data 2030
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Reijo Aarnio
Senior Advisor, Fair data economy
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Tapani Piha
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Juhapekka Ristola
Senior Advisor, A roadmap for a fair data economy
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Marja Pirttivaara
Senior Lead, Fair data economy
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Marja Illi
Senior Lead, Fair data economy
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Johanna Kippo
Specialist, Communications and Public Affairs