The BDTI project: five years of data-driven transformation and innovation

The European Commission's Big Data Test Infrastructure (BDTI) project, a flagship initiative under the Digital Europe Programme, is winding down after five transformative years. Since its inception in 2019, the BDTI has redefined the role of data in public administration, fostering innovation, collaboration, and a profound culture of data-driven decision-making across Europe.

Transformative pilots across Europe

The BDTI project demonstrated the power of data through a series of impactful pilot projects spanning sectors such as public health, urban planning, mobility, and sustainability. These pilots showcased real-world applications of data analytics, leaving a lasting legacy. Recent pilots included:

• GRNET and the University of Macedonia, Greece: The Greek National Registry of Administrative Public Services was transformed into Linked Open Data, increasing transparency and efficiency in public services while aligning with EU standards like the Core Public Service Vocabulary.
• Bochum, Germany: Predictive analytics were applied to urban forestry, using data from tree sensors to monitor health and predict environmental stress factors. This project laid the groundwork for better urban green space management.
• Turku, Finland: This collaboration between the city and its university improved public transport systems using advanced geospatial analysis of mobility data, enabling smarter and more efficient transit solutions.
• Naples, Italy: Leveraging data on urban heat islands, this pilot identified relief hubs to safeguard citizens during extreme weather events. It also integrated citizen feedback and urban morphology data to redesign public spaces and enhance sustainability.
• Arezzo, Italy: With over 16 years of accident data, this pilot identified dangerous road hotspots and correlations between incidents and environmental factors. The results informed road safety strategies, aiming to reduce accidents and injuries.
• Dún Laoghaire, Ireland: Using integrated IoT sensors and traffic data, this pilot supported smart city initiatives. By analysing correlations between weather, road conditions, and events, it aimed to enhance pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and optimised traffic flow to create more sustainable urban mobility solutions.

These pilots didn't just showcase what is possible with data—they provided actionable insights and scalable frameworks for other public administrations to replicate and build upon.

Building skills and fostering communities

BDTI went beyond infrastructure, equipping public administrations and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to harness data effectively. The BDTI Skills Studio and Essentials Course were central to these efforts, and BDTI delivered 15 webinars and workshops to more than 500 participants across Europe. Topics spanned foundational skills like data cleaning and geospatial analytics to advanced methods such as predictive modelling and climate data classification tailored to public administrations' diverse needs.

To ensure accessibility and inclusion, practical guides, templates, and multilingual materials were consistently translated into all 24 EU languages, breaking language barriers and reaching a broad audience.

We are particularly proud of The BDTI Kitchen. This monthly newsletter grew its subscriber base by 75% during the project and became a trusted source for project updates, resources, and success stories.

A lasting legacy of resources and innovation

To ensure BDTI's impact endures, a dedicated repository will host its milestones, resources, and open-source tools. These resources—maintained under code.europe.eu—will continue to empower public administrations with practical solutions for data-driven governance. We will continue to share the knowledge, successes and impacts, and data resources via the monthly BDTI Kitchen newsletter, ensuring the data-driven public sector community in Europe stays vibrant.

Reflecting on the project, Maria Claudia Bodino, the BDTI project manager, said:

"The BDTI project has shown that data is not just an asset—it's a transformative force. Through collaboration, education, and innovation, we've enabled public administrations across Europe to harness this potential and build a stronger, more data-literate future."

As the BDTI concludes, its achievements offer a powerful blueprint for the digital transformation of public governance. With scalable frameworks, open-source tools, and an engaged network of data enthusiasts, the legacy of the BDTI will continue to inspire and enable change across Europe. 

The success of the Big Data Test Infrastructure (BDTI) project over the past five years would not have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of all pilot participants across Europe. Their innovative spirit and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in transforming data-driven public administration into a reality. By collaborating on diverse and challenging projects, these participants have showcased the potential of data analytics and set benchmarks for future initiatives. We extend our deepest gratitude to each pilot participant for their invaluable contributions, which have significantly shaped the legacy of the BDTI and inspired a wave of progressive change in public governance across the continent. We wish them every future success in continuing their projects. 

For more on the BDTI's resources:

Visit the repository