DS2 Advances Innovation in Murska Sobota

The Municipality of Murska Sobota (MOMS) and ITC - Innovation Technology Cluster Murska Sobota, hosted the DS2 project plenary meeting in between 4th and 6th of November 2025. One of DS2's main objectives is to develop a system that will enable more efficient connection, sharing and use of data to address the challenges of modern cities.

The Municipality of Murska Sobota joined the DS2 project through its active approach to data use and the development of smart solutions. In cooperation with ITC, the municipality will upgrade its existing system for measuring greenhouse gas emissions by integrating additional data sources that go beyond traditional weather-station measurements. Such a comprehensive approach will allow for a more accurate monitoring of air pollution and support the development of effective measures. Based on the collected and analysed data, the municipality will prepare an Action Plan for reducing air pollution, contributing to a healthier local environment, more sustainable mobility and more efficient spatial management.

The DS2 Plenary Meeting brought together experts, researchers, city representatives and technology partners. The programme was structured so that each day highlighted a key thematic focus of the project. The first day kick off with a warm welcome from Deputy Mayor Jure Lang on behalf of the Municipality of Murska Sobota and by Tomaž Zadravec and Miran Bunderla from ITC Murska Sobota. The discussions focused on the use cases, their developments and how the modules will solve the challenges of the use cases.

Day two focused on technical discussions, including the operation of the DS2 system, interoperability services, the DS2 Portal and Marketplace, and key data management challenges. Throughout the day, parallel module testing sessions were held, where project teams validated individual modules against their respective use cases. The day concluded with a site visit to the pilot location in Murska Sobota.

The final day was dedicated to gap analysis, preparation of the module validation plan and discussions on solutions that could create lasting impact beyond the DS2 project lifecycle.

Hosting the meeting and actively engaging in the DS2 project holds significant value for the City of Murska Sobota. It places the city at the forefront of European efforts to develop smart and sustainable solutions.

Through this project, the municipality will be able to:

• Deepen its understanding of air pollution sources

• Leverage advanced data analytics to guide development initiatives

• Implement innovative strategies for managing municipal services

• Tap into European expertise, technologies, and knowledge networks

By championing data-driven decision-making, Murska Sobota is reinforcing its identity as a forward-thinking, sustainable, and digitally empowered city.