Greece
Greece’s participation in SoBigData ERIC reflects its strategic commitment to developing national capacity in
computational social sciences and contributing to European research excellence. The Greek node,
coordinated by ATHENA Research Center and supported by the national institutions EKKE and DEMOKRITOS,
brings together expertise in social science, data science, AI, and advanced computing.
A core element enabling Greece’s participation is the planned establishment of HERMES – The Hellenic
Research Infrastructure for Big Data and Social Mining, which represents a €4 million national investment,
including approximately €2 million dedicated to computational infrastructure. HERMES will provide the
foundation for Greece to meet the technical, legal, and operational requirements of SoBigData ERIC.
Greece node offers significant value by:
- Advancing computational approaches to social research, merging AI, machine learning, and large-
scale data analysis - Contributing to Europe’s digital sovereignty, providing independent, ethical infrastructure for social
data research - Enhancing national and European capacity for interdisciplinary research, addressing complex
societal challenges such as public health, climate change, and social inequality - Supporting the European Open Science agenda, promoting data accessibility, interoperability, and
responsible data use
SoBigData node elevates Greece’s scientific profile, attract international collaborations, and ensure that Greek researchers, policymakers, and businesses benefit from cutting-edge tools and
infrastructure to address societal needs. Upon successful implementation of HERMES, Greece will be
positioned as a leading contributor to Europe's research efforts in computational social sciences and big data
for social good.
