The Luxembourg National Data Service (LNDS) was established by the Luxembourg government to make advancements in research, innovation, and digitalization. One of the core messages from LNDS’s first year (2023) report is the emphasis on building a transparent and trustworthy environment, and a need to participate in the international economy, supporting European data spaces.
By making all data points from the annual report available on the Luxembourgish open data platform, LNDS displays its commitment to openness. This transparency is designed to build confidence among data partners and the public, reinforcing the organization’s role as a reliable steward of data.
The primary mission of LNDS is to support research, innovation, and policy-making through the provision of high-quality data, involving both public and private entities in the complete value-creation chain of data.
This mission is demonstrated through the development of services, tools, and infrastructure in collaboration with data partners, ensuring their practical application and validation. “The launch of the Luxembourg National Data Service is not simply a technological event, but a declaration of commitment to a future where data is a driver of shared prosperity and where we are committed to prove that the value of data can be unleashed without compromising on concerns for data privacy and security,” said Stéphanie Obertin, minister for research and higher education and minister for digitalisation.
Launching with ELSI as a base
Ethical, legal, and social implications are within the fundamental missions of secondary data use at LNDS. Recognizing the importance of these considerations, LNDS integrates ELSI into its core operations, adopting an approach they term “ELSI by design and default.” This principle extends beyond the “data protection by design and default” mandated by the general data protection regulation (GDPR).
In its first full year, LNDS launched ten initial services and five software tools, all at a “minimum viable product” level, developed through specific data projects with its partners. Additionally, LNDS participates in numerous internationally funded projects, primarily through the European Commission, which supports collaboration and provides extra funding.
In December of 2023, LNDS celebrated with a formal launch event and the first Data Summit Luxembourg. “This year’s Data Summit Luxembourg is the first of many. We aim to evolve it into an annual, signature event for local and international participants, to become the ultimate learning event for data sharing and analysis,” said Bert Verdonck, CEO of LNDS.
Innovative expansion takeaways
In 2023, LNDS experienced significant growth, expanding its team from 7 employees in 2022 to 34 by the end of the year. Women constitute 38% of the workforce, and the average age is 36. The team represents Luxembourg’s multicultural background, with members from 23 different nationalities.
This diversity brings varied perspectives and experiences, crucial for innovation and problem-solving in the dynamic field of data services. LNDS is dedicated to promoting an inclusive work environment, evidenced by its signing of the diversity charter Lëtzebuerg in May of 2024, and adopted the scaled agile framework (SAFe) to streamline processes, reduce bureaucracy, and empower employees to take initiative.
LNDS has undertaken several impactful collaborative data projects with its partners across Luxembourg. For instance, with the Administration de l’Environnement (AEV), LNDS conducted a data cataloging pilot project, developing a tailored metadata model for AEV’s diverse datasets, which was implemented in a proof-of-concept metadata capture system deployed within AEV’s IT infrastructure.
In another effort, LNDS collaborated with OBSANTÉ to standardize data transformation metadata capture. OBSANTÉ, which monitors health indicators, faced challenges with unstructured data descriptions. LNDS worked to establish machine-readable standards to document data processing steps comprehensively, ensuring transparency and reproducibility in health reports.
Additionally, LNDS partnered with the Digital Learning Hub (DLH) to boost data literacy through a foundational course in data stewardship. This initiative educates participants on crucial data management skills and governance frameworks, contributing to Luxembourg’s data stewardship capacity. Furthermore, LNDS supported the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) in implementing data management guidelines using the data stewardship wizard tool.
