This session includes contributions by:

• Leona King, Legal Researcher, PhD Candidate, CiTiP, KU Leuven, imec, FWO

Powering the Data Union: Rethinking Governance Through the Lens of Data Spaces This presentation reflects on the development of data spaces as a pivotal moment in the EU’s attempt to redesign digital governance in ways that redistribute power and engage people more meaningfully. Introduced in the 2020 European Data Strategy as sector-specific infrastructures for secure data sharing, data spaces have evolved into a central mechanism for building a Data Union. By tracing the regulatory, institutional, and industrial evolution of data spaces — through instruments like the Data Governance Act, Data Act, European Health Data Space Regulation and AI Act — this session examines how data spaces are being used to reimagine the architecture of digital participation. It proposes a typology of emerging models and focuses on the roles of data intermediaries and layered governance structures in shaping how rights, responsibilities, and value are shared. As the trajectory of data spaces remains unsettled — shaped by shifting political priorities, industrial dynamics, and evolving legal landscape — this presentation offers a timely opportunity to pause, reflect, and co-create more inclusive governance futures. It invites the MyData community to see data spaces not simply as policy tools, but as sites of democratic possibility where institutional design, digital infrastructure, and societal values intersect. By framing data spaces within the theme Power: People and Societies, the presentation calls for greater attention to how governance choices today will determine who gets to participate, who benefits, and whose interests are protected in tomorrow’s data-driven society.

• Diana Sancho, Senior Lecturer, University of Westminster

This paper explores the European Union's introduction of innovative mechanisms to enhance data participation under the Data Governance Act, with a focus on trusted third-party intermediaries. These intermediaries aim to empower individuals and communities in exercising data rights and engaging in data governance, supporting the EU's goals of achieving data justice. While existing literature addresses data stewardship and governance models, the evolving role of representation in these frameworks has received limited attention. The paper categorizes various forms of representation, highlighting their development in facilitating greater data participation. Traditionally, representation was directly linked to delegation, meaning representation could not exist without it. However, the analysis reveals an expanded concept of representation under the Data Governance Act, which includes modalities such as technical representation (not requiring delegation) and fiduciary representation, which incorporates trust into data management. The paper argues that achieving data justice through enhanced participation necessitates a reconsideration of traditional legal frameworks. It suggests that these frameworks alone are insufficient, and that regulatory innovations like alternative forms of representation are necessary. By embracing such innovations, the EU legislature recognizes the limitations of conventional legal approaches and responds to the complexities of modern data governance. This shift marks an important step towards fostering inclusive and effective regulation in the digital age.

• Jaana Sinipuro, CEO, DataSpace Europe Oy

Title: From Fragmentation to Federation – Enabling Data Sovereignty in Agriculture through Trusted Intermediation Imagine investing in an industry where operations rely on intuition rather than information, monthly financial visibility is nonexistent, and digital tools are fragmented and siloed. This is the reality for millions of farms globally. Farm Management Information Systems exist, but are often siloed, manual, and incompatible. Data fragmentation limits automation and innovation, while trust and security concerns stall progress. At the core lies a systemic issue: farmers lack sovereignty over the data generated on their farms. In this session, we present our approach as a Data Governance Act compliant Data Intermediation Service Provider (DISP), designed to enable secure and sovereign data sharing in agriculture. Rather than building yet another monolithic platform, we support a federated ecosystem model that empowers SMEs to maintain control over their data while collaborating in trusted, interoperable networks. This is not just an agricultural challenge — and not just an agricultural solution. Our model can be replicated in other sectors with similar dynamics: industries made up of many small actors building innovative solutions, all striving for better access to relevant data and market access. Join us to learn how trusted data intermediation can unlock ecosystem innovation, protect business-critical assets, and support a more equitable and efficient data economy — starting with agriculture, but not ending there.

• Feyo Sickinghe, Principal Regulatory Counsel, Bird & Bird

Feyo Sickinghe, regulatory specialist, will present on the opportunitiesand challenges the Data Act provides for data sharing and cloud switching based on our teams findings as a result of advising international clients of Bird & Bird. We will reflect on the simplification package proposals by the Commission, Council and market players and add our suggestions.

• Jacqueline van de Werken, Global Group General Counsel of Ocom, president of CISPE, will speak about industry experiences with the Data Act

• Panel discussion with the presenters and representatives of the Finnish and Irish competent authorities on the DGA and DA.