Espoo has taken a major leap toward becoming a data-driven municipality by implementing a unified data platform and governance model that enables strategic, ethical, and scalable use of data across city services. In collaboration with Capgemini, the city has improved data accessibility, fostered cross-departmental collaboration, and laid the foundation for responsible AI adoption, empowering leadership to make more informed decisions and deliver better services to residents.

Fragmented data limits strategic impact

As Finland’s second-largest city, Espoo is known for its innovation, sustainability, and citizen-centric approach. To stay ahead of growing demands and ensure transparency in public services, Espoo strategically invested in data and analytics governance, recognizing data as a key asset in shaping the city’s future.

Espoo’s journey toward data and analytics governance began with a clear recognition of a structural challenge: data was scattered across departments and stored in siloed systems such as personal cloud folders, Teams workspaces, and external service providers. This fragmentation hindered collaboration, reduced data quality, and limited the city’s ability to make informed, strategic decisions.

To overcome this, Espoo launched a strategic initiative to design and implement a centralized, scalable data platform based on Microsoft Fabric. The first use case focused on integrating insights from the “Mun Espoo” citizen surveys, which gathered thousands of responses about residents’ values, expectations, and experiences, providing a rich foundation for citizen-centric planning.

Building the foundation for scalable, ethical data use

Espoo partnered with Capgemini to co-create a comprehensive architecture and phased implementation plan for the new platform, including governance models, technical components, and operational processes. These were developed in close collaboration with the city’s key stakeholders, combining strategic consulting with practical implementation.

This foundational work supported Espoo’s successful application to Sitra’s funding program for strategic use of data and AI in the public sector. With the platform concept in place, Espoo focused on building organizational capabilities to make data truly actionable. This led to the development of two key tools:

  • Espoo Data & Analytics Governance Model: Defines clear roles, responsibilities, and processes across departments, enabling consistent and strategic data use.
  • Espoo Data Playbook: A practical guide that helps employees access and apply data in everyday work, promoting the responsible use of AI and fostering a culture of data literacy.

Supporting improved public services

Together, these tools ensure that data is not only technically accessible but also ethically and strategically used, aligning with Espoo’s values of transparency, accountability, and citizen-centric service design.

According to Piia Wollsten, Director for Digital Services Development for the city of Espoo, the governance model has brought much-needed structure to Espoo’s data work: “The most valuable elements have been the clear roles, stakeholder mapping, and processes. They provide a framework that supports consistent and strategic use of data.”

With the governance model and Data Playbook in place, data-related activities are now directly tied to Espoo’s long-term goals, enabling city leaders to monitor progress and make informed decisions. With better access to high-quality data, departments can design services that more accurately reflect citizen needs.

The governance model has reduced inefficiency and clarified responsibilities, which has in turn fostered cross-departmental cooperation. Meanwhile, the Data Playbook supports ethical AI use, ensuring compliance and trust in digital services. Altogether, the Microsoft Fabric-based platform provides a future-proof foundation for predictive analytics and advanced data applications.

Enabling a data-driven future for Espoo

The collaboration between Espoo and Capgemini was seamless and well-structured. Beyond delivering the project successfully, the initiative highlighted the fragmented state of analytics within the organization and underscored the need for a unified approach.

“Everything was delivered on time and exactly as agreed. The cooperation was smooth and productive—it sparked valuable discussions about what analytics truly means for us as a city,” Piia reflects.

The new model is already showing promise. Espoo believes it will improve data quality and support service development, especially as data becomes more discoverable through the data catalog.

“We expect to see more informed decision-making and better service design as data becomes easier to find and use,” Piia adds.

Feedback from end users has also been encouraging. The initiative has been welcomed as a positive development, and the new model is seen as enabling a broader, more strategic use of data—beyond the confines of individual departments.

Supporting city services with data governance

Espoo selected Capgemini through its framework agreement, recognizing the company’s deep expertise in Microsoft technologies and data governance.

“We received valuable insights into the capabilities of Microsoft Fabric from Capgemini’s experts, which helped us evaluate whether we were making the right choices,” Piia explains. The partnership provided not only technical support but also strategic clarity.

Espoo is now well-positioned to expand its use of data and AI across city services. The governance model and playbook will continue to evolve, and the Fabric-based platform’s full deployment will enhance data accessibility and support predictive analytics. Strategic dashboards based on future performance indicators are in development, enabling leadership to track progress and reinforce data-driven decision-making.

“We see data leadership becoming increasingly central to how the city is run—and it will be reflected in the next iteration of the Espoo Story,” Piia concludes.