As the EU’s work to develop and build a European Cloud federation and the activity of Gaia-X look set to begin this year, techUK would like to better understand members views on this Data and Cloud initiative. We will be holding a member only virtual roundtable on 8 April to gather views and input on the EU’s proposals in this area and the work of GAIA-X.
If you have an interest in understanding more about the European work in this area and the GAIA-X initiative, and have views you would like to offer please register now to attend this call:
What are the EU Cloud and Data Infrastructure Initiatives?
In October 2020 European Member States signed a declaration to develop EU-wide Cloud investments and build a European Cloud federation. Member States agreed to work together towards the deployment of “resilient and competitive cloud infrastructure and services across Europe” and developed joint actions to be taken forward
- Creation of a European Alliance on Industrial Data and Cloud
- Work to develop “one se of joint technical solutions and policy norms” to support interoperable EU cloud services
- Drive to increase the take up of secure, interoperable “energy-efficient data centres and cloud services”
A key aim of the European Cloud federation initiative is to find synergies between “national and cross border initiatives” related to Cloud. This includes the GAIA-X initiative (initiated originally by France and Germany) that is aimed at creating a “European federated data infrastructure” and drive use of cloud services across Europe. Participation in the European GAIA-X initiative is open to non-European countries and technology companies. Currently more than 300 organisations from many countries are involved in GAIA-X.
An agenda and call details will be sent to members that have registered to attend this techUK member only session.

Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.

Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.

Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.