Deliverable D2.1 establishes the baseline understanding required for EXCENTRIC to develop collaborative, human-centred data ecosystems across the cultural and creative sectors. Through interviews, diagnostic workshops, and digital maturity assessments, Task 2.1 examined how six pilot organisations operate, how data flows through their ecosystems, and what conditions enable or constrain data-driven transformation. The analysis shows that although pilots differ widely in scale, governance models, and technical capacity, they share a common ambition: to use data to understand and engage audiences more deeply. This includes motivations such as strengthening loyalty (ROMA Europa), interpreting cultural tastes (DRM Slovenia), embedding diversity (CTL Lisbon), enabling co-creative performance (ATD/Dortmund Philharmonic), demonstrating social value (KBF/FCCI), and managing large-scale audience experiences (Oulu2026). These shared motivations reflect wider research showing that sustainable data sharing emerges when institutions recognise common goals and aligned value (Lefebvre et al., 2025). D2.1 therefore presents a set of individual pilot diagnostics and also a cross-pilot view of the emerging collaborative landscape. It highlights diverse starting positions, uneven digital maturity, and varying data governance conditions, while revealing strong convergence around audience centred innovation. These insights form the socio-technical foundation for EXCENTRIC’s next steps: the formulation of design requirements (Task 2.2), the development of the Solid-based data sharing platform and analytical tools (WP4), and the transversal analysis of collaborative data practices (WP5), while also informing and aligning with the activities and experimentation processes carried out in WP3 in year two. In sum, this deliverable provides the shared vocabulary, situational awareness, and strategic direction needed for EXCENTRIC to move from understanding the pilots’ realities to designing and testing collaborative, values aligned data ecosystems across Europe.This task, led by WAAG with support of MB and EUR and direct involvement of ROMAE, DRM, OCF, CTL, TD, EFA, considers developing an in-depth understanding of specific pilot organisations‘ needs, working environment and digital readiness. It considers the evaluation of pilot operational challenge, relevance, goal, related current technical infrastructure, digital skills, organisational culture, leadership, and resource allocation, and identifying collaboration tools for organisational cooperation. It also covers current data sharing practices, FAIR Data Principles, legal and ethical issues, copyright compliance, collaborative readiness, and community engagement in their specific context. It sets up performance monitoring tools and feedback mechanisms. The findings guide the technological roadmap (T2.2), mentoring matDRMaking (within T2.3), and support shaping action plans for T3.1, T3.2, and T3.3, ensuring alignment with goals and capabilities. Post-assessment and pilot action plans are developed with a gap analysis, strategic planning, initial exploitation planning, and ongoing digital transformation monitoring. The task delivers a Pre-piloting diagnostics and needs assessment report (D2.1).