Local and regional authorities across Central Europe face growing challenges in areas such as mobility, environmental protection and climate adaptation. However, limited access to reliable data and insufficient capacity to analyse and use it can make informed decision-making more difficult. Strengthening data-driven governance is therefore essential to developing more effective, sustainable and responsive public policies.

Despite the growing availability of Open Data and technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), many public authorities face difficulties integrating these resources into everyday planning and decision-making. Limited technical expertise, fragmented data systems and insufficient cooperation between public institutions, businesses and civil society can prevent data from being used effectively.

These challenges also make it harder to share knowledge and develop common approaches across territories, limiting opportunities for more transparent, participatory and evidence-based governance.

EnCLOD was developed to help local authorities make better use of Open Data, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and digital tools in territorial governance. The project brought together public authorities, research institutions, businesses and civil society organisations to explore how data-driven solutions and stronger stakeholder collaboration could support more informed decision-making and citizen engagement across five Central European pilot territories.

EnCLOD developed and tested data-driven approaches to territorial governance through five pilot actions in Vicenza (Italy), Žilina (Slovakia), Debrecen (Hungary), Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Olomouc (Czechia).

Each pilot addressed a specific local challenge, using Open Data, IoT sensors and digital tools to support decision-making in areas such as winter road maintenance, road safety, sustainable mobility, air quality and climate adaptation.

Alongside these pilot actions, the project developed five Local Action Plans and practical guidelines to support public authorities in integrating Open Data into their governance processes, while promoting cooperation with researchers, businesses and civil society.

EnCLOD followed a common transnational approach to strengthen the use of Open Data in local governance.

The project began by analysing existing good practices and assessing the level of Open Data maturity and the main challenges in the participating territories. Based on these findings, partners developed five Local Action Plans addressing specific territorial needs.

These plans informed the implementation of five pilot actions, which tested the application of Open Data, IoT sensors and digital tools to practical challenges related to mobility, road safety, air quality and climate adaptation.

Alongside the pilots, the partnership organised training activities, workshops and hackathons to strengthen local capacities, encourage stakeholder participation and promote collaboration between public authorities, researchers, businesses and citizens.

The knowledge and experience gained through these activities contributed to the development of common guidelines and resources designed to support the transfer and adaptation of the EnCLOD approach to other territories.

Between May 2024 and October 2026, EnCLOD brought together ten partners from five Central European countries to explore and test innovative approaches to data-driven territorial governance.

The project delivered five Local Action Plans and implemented five pilot actions addressing concrete territorial challenges:

• Vicenza, Italy: Using Open Data, weather sensors and predictive tools to support winter road maintenance and improve road safety.
• Žilina, Slovakia: Testing IoT traffic sensors and monitoring tools to support urban road safety and the protection of vulnerable road users.
• Debrecen, Hungary: Using mobility data and digital tools to support public transport planning and traffic management.
• Nova Gorica, Slovenia: Monitoring traffic and air quality to better understand environmental challenges and inform urban planning.
• Olomouc, Czechia: Using IoT sensors and urban microclimate monitoring to support climate adaptation and address urban heat islands.

Beyond these local applications, EnCLOD produced reports on Open Data good practices and territorial maturity, training resources, guidelines and non-technical reports documenting the pilot actions. These resources provide practical knowledge and examples that other territories can explore and adapt to their own governance challenges.

The project's results were presented at its final conference on 24 September 2026 in Venice, Italy, which brought together more than 70 participants from public authorities, research institutions, businesses and other relevant organisations.

Through its transnational cooperation and practical experimentation, EnCLOD established a foundation for the further application, exchange and replication of data-driven governance approaches across Central Europe.

EnCLOD's legacy lies in the knowledge, tools and cooperation developed to help local authorities make more effective use of Open Data in territorial governance.

The five pilot actions, Local Action Plans and practical guidelines offer examples and methodologies that other cities and regions can draw upon when addressing challenges related to mobility, environmental monitoring and climate adaptation.

Beyond the project's conclusion, these resources can support continued knowledge exchange, capacity building and the adoption of more informed, transparent and participatory decision-making processes.

Building on the cooperation established throughout EnCLOD, project partners have also expressed their commitment to continuing collaboration on Open Data and exploring future opportunities to further develop and share the project's results.

By making its experience and resources available for future use, EnCLOD contributes to the long-term development of smarter, more sustainable and resilient territories across Central Europe.