GAIA-X is a European initiative designed to create a federated and secure data infrastructure that promotes data sovereignty, interoperability, and innovation across industries and sectors in Europe. The project was officially launched in June 2020 and aims to provide an alternative to global cloud providers by ensuring that European data is handled according to European values, such as privacy, transparency, and data protection (e.g., GDPR compliance). It aims to ensure that data remains under the control of its creators or owners, adhering to European privacy standards and legal frameworks ans to avoid over-reliance on non-European cloud providers. It aims to build a network of interconnected cloud and data service providers across Europe, enabling different platforms, industries, and organizations to work together by using common technical standards and frameworks.
GAIA‑X
Abstract
Country | European Union |
Start date | 2020 |
Annual Budget | n/a |
Responsible organisation(s) | Academic cooperation |
Target group(s) | Researchers, businesses, and public sector organizations. |
Policy instrument type | Federated digital ecosystem. |
A collaborative initiative involving multiple European countries and private partners. It aligns with the EU's Digital Strategy to enhance Europe’s competitiveness in the digital economy while safeguarding data and digital infrastructure from external influence.
GAIA-X is governed by a non-profit organization based in Brussels, the The Gaia-X European Association for Data and Cloud AISBL, which is composed of members from industries, research organizations, and government bodies. GAIA-X is backed by European governments, particularly Germany and France, and involves numerous private sector participants, research organizations, and non-profits. The initiative receives support from national and EU-level funding programs, such as Horizon Europe, and contributions from its members.
To foster innovation and digital sovereignty by providing a framework for data infrastructure and services.
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