A Competency Framework for Human Interoperability in Data Spaces

The growing deployment of European Data Spaces requires more than advanced technical infrastructures; it also demands specialised human competencies to ensure interoperability, governance, and trust. This paper redefines organisational readiness as a key indicator of the transition from experimental deployments to large-scale, governed data exchange. Although technical solutions provide the necessary foundation, training is essential to ensure that the digital transition is supported by professionals capable of operating these ecosystems effectively. To address the research question, “Which competencies are required to enable data reuse within Data Spaces?”, with a specific focus on spatial data and Urban Digital Twins, this study proposes a hybrid methodology. This approach combines a top-down analysis of reference architectures (e.g., EIF and DSSC Blueprint) with a bottom-up diagnosis based on an expert-based qualitative survey. Preliminary results suggest that, although 58% of organisations identify technical integration between BIM and GIS as the main obstacle, 47% identify the shortage of specialised skills as the primary bottleneck preventing operational maturity. The analysis reveals a Maturity Plateau that hinders the transition from technical connectivity (Data Space Maturity Model Level 2) to full operational maturity (Level 3). To overcome this barrier, the study presents a convergence matrix based on the DIS4SME initiative, mapping knowledge gaps to a competency roadmap. This framework identifies urgent training needs in the semantic and legal domains, and provides an operational guide for supporting organisational maturity across Data Spaces and strengthening professional expertise.