Simpl makes data sharing easier by building on standards, reference architectures, and components developed within the open-source community by specialist associations. Simpl integrates these proven technologies to ensure they can exchange information without barriers, providing adaptability across systems.

This is a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem, where associations continuously complement each other’s work. Together, Simpl and these associations refine and advance the standards and components that underpin current data spaces and will shape future initiatives. 

Simpl and the Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC)

The Simpl Programme works closely with the Data Space Support Centre (DSSC). The DSSC researches and selects the common process, legal and technology “building blocks”, to create a Blueprint for past and future European data spaces to converge to and follow.

From Blueprint to Building

Think of it this way: the DSSC are the urban planners, designing how the city should function and look to meet the needs of its citizens. Simpl are the engineers and builders, taking those plans and constructing the physical infrastructure that makes the city a reality. 

Built on standards

Simpl-Open builds on widely recognised standards to ensure interoperability and trust across ecosystems. It leverages:

• ODRL (W3C) for expressing data usage policies.
• RDF (W3C) for linked data representation.
• While DCAT (W3C) is not yet implemented, support for DCAT-AP is planned for future releases to enhance dataset cataloging.
• Simpl-Open aligns with the GAIA-X Trust Framework , which defines common governance rules and baseline interoperability requirements.