Gaia-X Hub Austria

Gaia-X Hub Austria Vision

“A strong digital economy in Austria,
where data sovereignty and interoperability
create value for business and society.”

Gaia-X Hub Austria MISSION

The Gaia-X Hub Austria acts as an independent think tank and advisor, supporting decision-makers in shaping data sovereignty and interoperability.

We provide an informed understanding of architecture, technical standards and market developments, translating these insights into practical, actionable recommendations.

We operate on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) and the Federal Chancellery (BKA), coordinating our activities with other European initiatives such as Gaia-X, IDSA, BDVA and DSSC.

The first strategic area focuses on positioning the Hub as a strategic reference point for data sovereignty and interoperability. Structured monitoring of policies and initiatives will be established within the first six months to identify relevant developments at European and national levels early on and assess their implications for Austria.

An initial Strategic Briefing will provide decision-makers from ministries, public administration and business with a consolidated overview of European developments in data spaces, interoperability and Gaia-X. This will provide early strategic guidance and establish the Hub as a trusted source of expertise.

In the second phase (2027), targeted position papers and recommendations for action will be developed based on the work of the Working Groups. These will address funding approaches, interoperability requirements and alignment with European initiatives, and will actively inform policy and strategic processes.

The intended impact is to integrate data sovereignty and interoperability into policy strategies, programmes and funding mechanisms at an early stage, while strengthening the Hub’s strategic visibility.

The Steering Board plays a central role in prioritising relevant topics and validating strategic positions from a subject-matter perspective. The Stakeholder Board supports the wider dissemination of results and connections with policy and business networks. The Working Groups contribute expertise from specific application areas and identify regulatory and organisational challenges.

The second strategic area addresses the growing complexity of technological, regulatory and market developments surrounding data spaces and digital ecosystems. The aim is to translate complex interdependencies into accessible formats that support decision-making in policymaking, public administration and business.

A concise whitepaper on Gaia-X, data spaces and interoperability will be produced in the first few months.

To support visibility, knowledge sharing and ecosystem development, the Gaia-X Hub Austria plans to produce video interviews with selected projects, initiatives and experts working on sovereign data spaces and interoperable digital infrastructures. The content will be adapted into different formats: short contributions tailored to specific audiences will support ongoing communication and showcase concrete use cases and developments, while in-depth, long-form content will support structured learning through the Gaia-X Academy. The aim is to clearly present practical experiences, challenges and success factors from real projects, promote knowledge transfer between stakeholders, and demonstrate the relevance of sovereign and interoperable data space approaches for public administration, business and research.

In the second phase, a “Technology & Standards Compass” will be developed to enable comparisons between relevant technologies, standards and initiatives and assess their alignment with strategic objectives. In parallel, an initial reference architecture for sovereign and interoperable data spaces will be developed.

The intended impact is to strengthen the decision-making capabilities of relevant stakeholders. A shared understanding of target architectures and clear guidance will help reduce fragmentation, avoid misguided strategic decisions and better target investments.

The Steering Board provides expert input and constructive challenge, helping to prioritise relevant architecture and standardisation topics. The Working Groups contribute concrete requirements and perspectives from their respective domains and use cases. The Stakeholder Board supports the dissemination and visibility of the resulting target architectures and guidance documents.

The third strategic area focuses on indirectly supporting the implementation of sovereign data spaces. The Hub does not undertake operational project implementation; it creates transparency, structures requirements and connects relevant stakeholders.

The first phase involves creating a structured use-case map of relevant Austrian initiatives and establishing two to three thematic Working Groups. These provide a forum for discussing and structuring specific data space and interoperability requirements.

A demonstration environment will also be provided and further developed to illustrate interoperable and sovereign data space architectures. It serves as a practical reference and experimentation platform for sovereign data spaces and interoperable digital infrastructures. By demonstrating core Gaia-X principles, architectural components and interoperability mechanisms, it helps translate complex technical concepts into clear and accessible application examples.

The environment also provides a shared foundation for Working Groups, demonstrators, use cases and networking activities. It strengthens the visibility of Austrian initiatives and their alignment with European developments in Gaia-X and European data space ecosystems.

Starting in 2027, selected use cases will be analysed in greater depth and documented systematically in terms of their alignment with European initiatives, funding potential and interoperability requirements. Practical implementation guides and guidance materials will also be developed.

The expected impact is to create transparency around relevant initiatives, highlight synergies and identify structural barriers at an early stage. At the same time, these activities aim to improve connections between relevant stakeholders and strengthen the alignment of Austrian initiatives with European developments.

The Working Groups form the central operational structure within this strategic area. They contribute concrete use cases, requirements and feedback from practice. The Steering Board prioritises relevant topics and assesses the strategic relevance of individual initiatives. The Stakeholder Board supports the visibility of successful use cases and connections between relevant stakeholders.

The fourth strategic area addresses Austria’s strategic integration into European initiatives and ecosystems. The aim is to identify relevant developments early on, represent Austrian interests and ensure that national initiatives can connect effectively with European activities.

A structured mapping of relevant European initiatives will be developed within the first six months. These include, in particular, Gaia-X, DSSC, IDSA and BDVA, as well as selected IPCEI and data space initiatives. In parallel, relevant European contacts and networks will be developed in a targeted manner.

In 2027, the focus will shift to active participation in selected European initiatives. The aim is focused engagement in a small number of strategically relevant formats rather than a broad presence. Austrian projects and use cases will also be connected with European initiatives in a targeted manner.

The expected impact is stronger integration of Austrian initiatives into European ecosystems, improved access to European networks and greater visibility for Austria in sovereign data spaces and interoperable digital infrastructures.

The Steering Board supports the strategic prioritisation of relevant European initiatives and the Hub’s positioning at European level. The Stakeholder Board draws on its networks and outreach capacity to increase international visibility. The Working Groups identify technical topics and use cases with European potential and help connect them with relevant initiatives.

Gaia-X Hub Austria OBJECTIVES

Based on its four strategic areas, the Gaia-X Hub Austria pursues the following operational objectives for 2026 and 2027. The focus is on shaping policy and strategy, making complex developments understandable, supporting concrete applications, and connecting Austrian stakeholders with European initiatives.

  1. The Hub establishes a structured foundation for shaping policy and strategy. A Policy & Initiative Radar will be developed in 2026 to monitor and assess relevant policy and regulatory developments, as well as initiatives relating to Gaia-X and data spaces. A prioritised list of topics will bring together the issues of greatest relevance to Austria.
  2. The Hub establishes suitable structures and formats for strategic exchange. A Steering Board structure will be established and an initial Strategic Brief produced in 2026. Building on this, two to three position papers and regular Strategic Briefings are planned for 2027 to provide insights into current developments and support strategic discussion.
  3. The Hub makes the foundations and potential applications of Gaia-X and data spaces understandable. A whitepaper entitled “Gaia-X & Data Spaces” and two to three project videos are planned for 2026. These formats will explain key concepts, showcase practical experience and make the topic more accessible to interested organisations.
  4. The Hub provides guidance on technological developments, standards and architecture. A Technology & Standards Compass, a reference architecture v1 and decision-making guides are planned for 2027. These resources will present relevant information in a structured way and help organisations assess technical approaches and prepare their own decisions.
  5. The Hub provides an overview of concrete use cases and promotes the exchange of expertise. A use-case map will be created in 2026 to showcase applications and identify opportunities for collaboration. In addition, two to three active Working Groups will be established, enabling interested stakeholders to address shared questions and exchange experiences.
  6. The Hub supports access to practical demonstrations and systematically documented application experience. An initial version of a demonstration environment is planned for 2026. In 2027, three to five use cases will be documented in a structured format to clearly present requirements, solution approaches and practical experience.
  7. The Hub facilitates collaboration between organisations and supports their entry into data spaces. Matchmaking workshops are planned for 2027 to bring together stakeholders with compatible interests and complementary expertise. Two practical guides will provide additional guidance and support the preparation of concrete projects.
  8. The Hub identifies relevant European initiatives and defines priorities for Austrian participation. An EU landscape mapping will be developed in 2026 to provide a structured overview of relevant activities and opportunities for engagement. On this basis, priority initiatives will be identified and initial European connections established.
  9. The Hub strengthens the integration of Austrian projects into European data ecosystems. Participation in one to two EU initiatives and coordinated contributions to EU processes are planned for 2027. Connecting Austrian projects with European ecosystems will promote cross-border exchange and help national activities align with European developments.
  10. The Hub contributes to the organisation of the Gaia-X Summit 2026 in Vienna. Co-organising the event provides an opportunity to showcase Austrian activities within the international Gaia-X community, foster personal exchange and strengthen connections between Austrian and European stakeholders.