In July 2024, peacebuilders, activists, academics, third sector and staff from intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations and the OSCE, came together for a policy hackathon at the Austrian Forum for Peace Conference in Burgenland near the Hungarian border.

Photo: Nathan Coyle

The hackathon focused on harnessing open data for peacebuilding and what data providers need to do to enhance outreach. We began by exploring the concept of open data, discussing its significance in peacebuilding efforts, and how it can be effectively presented to reach broader audiences, including those with limited technical skills. Participants also engaged in discussions on various tools and resources, such as OSINT and projects like the Syrian Archive, to showcase the practical applications of open data.

We identified key challenges, including the gap between open data’s potential and its current usage, which is often limited by factors like lack of awareness and skills. In response, we brainstormed solutions and developed an open-source outreach strategy. This strategy focused on making data platforms user-friendly, tailoring data to specific needs, and fostering education, training, and community engagement, all aimed at enhancing the role of open data in global peacebuilding initiatives.

Despite its incredible potential, open data often carries a corporate image that can alienate peacebuilders and the third sector, making them feel excluded or that it’s not meant for them. However, open data is a powerful ally for these communities, offering valuable tools for everything from securing funding to preempting conflicts and mapping migration. To change this perception and ensure peacebuilders can fully leverage open data, we need to shift the narrative and make it more accessible. This is why the Open Knowledge Foundation and the Open PeaceTech Hub in Austria developed an open-source policy driver toolkit, empowering data providers to better meet the needs of peacebuilders and integrate their expertise into outreach policy.

What We’ve Laid Out:

1. Transparency Matters: We’re advocating for clear information about data sources. Knowing where data comes from and who benefits from it helps users assess its reliability and avoid potential biases.
2. Understanding Data Limits: Knowing the limitations of data is crucial. Our framework emphasises the need to disclose the scope and constraints of datasets so users can understand their context and applicability.
3. Documenting the Details: Comprehensive documentation of data collection methods is essential. We call for detailed explanations of how data was gathered, including the tools and techniques used.
4. Interactive Data Tools: To make data more engaging and useful, we’re supporting the creation of interactive tools that allow users to explore and visualise data in innovative ways.
5. Ethical Data Use: We’re committed to upholding high ethical standards. This involves respecting privacy, ensuring informed consent, and avoiding practices that could harm communities.
6. Educational Resources: We recommend developing educational toolkits to help users navigate and utilise data effectively. These should include tutorials, case studies, and best practices.
7. Bias and Context: Our framework encourages assessing potential biases and providing links to related datasets for a fuller, more nuanced understanding.
8. Sustainable Practices: Sustainability in data management is key. We advocate for the use of open-source tools and consideration of the environmental impact of data practices.

Why This Matters

Data is a powerful tool in peacebuilding, but its impact is only as strong as the way we handle it. By making data more accessible, user-friendly, and ethically managed, we aim to drive more effective and informed peacebuilding efforts. The goal is to ensure that those working in conflict zones have the information they need to make sound decisions and foster positive change.

What’s Next?

Our work doesn’t end here. We’re taking these ideas forward to DataFest Tbilisi and the Data Science Conference in Belgrade, where we’ll continue to engage with data scientists and activists. These events will help us refine our framework and broaden its impact.

We’re also eager to hear from anyone involved in data or peacebuilding. Our framework is open source, and we believe that collaboration and diverse perspectives are vital for its success. If you have insights or expertise to share, we welcome you to join us in this important endeavour.

Stay tuned for more updates as we advance our work and continue to unlock the potential of data to support effective peacebuilding worldwide.