Registration for csv,conf,v7 in Buenos Aires, Argentina is now Open. The anticipation is over! No more guessing and waiting! The community conference for data makers everywhere, returns in person! Csv,conf,v7 will be in the beautiful Buenos Aires, Argentina April 19-20. It will not be a conference without YOU present! This is one of the events […]
Balázs Bodó: ‘Digital commons are actually reproducing existing power inequalities’
#OKFN100 is kicking off today, a series of conversations with 100+ people about how openness can strengthen the fights for the complex challenges of our times
Better together than alone: say hello again to the Open Knowledge Network
Join the movement! Today we are launching two projects to shine a light on the tremendous work the Network has been doing in the past decade.
csv,conf,v7 is going to Buenos Aires!
Save the data/date! csv,conf,v7 will be held in Buenos Aires (Argentina) from April 17 to 21, 2023. csv,conf is a community event for datamakers from all around the world. At csv,conf, we get together to discuss open data, and how data can be used to solve problems across open source, journalism, science, government, and beyond! […]
EITI Datathon: Innovative solutions for a data-driven energy transition – Send your proposals before July 31st
Open Knowledge Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of a global open call for proposals as part of the EITI Datathon: Innovative solutions for a data-driven energy transition. The Datathon is organised by the Extractives Industries Transparency Initiative, which partnered with OKF and Thibi to deliver the event. The applicants selected as part of […]
Frictionless Planet and Lacuna Fund discuss gaps in climate datasets for machine learning
On 24 June we hosted a conversation with the Lacuna Fund about datasets for climate change where we heard all about the Lacuna Fund’s recently launched Request for Proposals around Datasets for Climate Applications. We were joined by climate data users and creators from around the globe. This conversation is a part of Open Knowledge […]
Combining Data Skills, Knowledge, and Networks to Save our Planet
Originally published on: https://frictionlessdata.io/blog/2022/03/09/save-our-planet/ During these past tumultuous years, it has been striking to witness the role that information has played in furthering suffering: misinformation, lack of data transparency, and closed technology have worsened the pandemic, increased political strife, and hurt climate policy. Building on these observations, the team at Open Knowledge Foundation are refocusing […]
Microsoft to support Open Data Day 2022
Today, we are pleased to announce that Microsoft will once again be supporting Open Data Day by providing mini-grants to organisations to help them run events, the call will launch on Open Data Day 2022. Photo from Microsoft supported event on Open Data Day 2021, run by Riva Quiroga from Chile. Read their event report […]
Data that empowers: LAC perspectives on data governance
A few weeks ago we had a conversation in the Statistical Conference of the Americas about Data Governance. This brief post is a follow up of some of the concepts and ideas that we shared in the panel. Transparency as a Holistic Approach As citizens and members of the Civil Society, a huge challenge we […]
Frictionless Planet – Save the Date
We believe that an ecosystem of organisations combining tools, techniques and strategies to transform datasets relevant to the climate crisis into applied knowledge and actionable campaigns can get us closer to the Paris agreement goals. Today, scientists, academics and activists are working against the clock to save us from the greatest catastrophe of our times. […]
100+ Conversations to inspire our new Direction
It has been almost two decades since OKF was founded. Back then, the open movement was navigating uncharted waters, with hope and optimism. We created new standards, engaged powerful actors and achieved change in government, science and access to knowledge and education, unleashing the power of openness, collaboration and community in the early digital days. […]
Working with UNHCR to better collect, archive and re-use data about some of the world’s most vulnerable people
Since 2018, the team at Open Knowledge Foundation has been working with the Raw Internal Data Library (RIDL) project team at UNHCR to build an internal library of data to support evidence-based decision making by UNHCR and its partners. What’s this about? The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a global organisation ‘dedicated […]
Announcing the winner of the Net Zero Challenge 2021
Three months ago, the team at Open Knowledge Foundation launched a new project – the Net Zero Challenge – a global competition to identify, promote and support innovative, practical and scalable uses of open data that advance climate action. We received over 80 applications from 40 different countries. Many of them were excellent. From the applications, we chose a shortlist of five teams […]
Join us for the Net Zero Challenge pitch contest on using open data for climate action
Please register here to watch the Net Zero Challenge pitch contest. This is a virtual event taking place on Tuesday 13th April 2021 from 15:00 to 16.00 London time. What is the Net Zero Challenge? The Net Zero Challenge is a global competition to answer the following question – How can you advance climate action […]
Launching the Net Zero Challenge: a global pitch competition about using open data for climate action
Open Knowledge Foundation is excited to launch the Net Zero Challenge, a global pitch competition about using open data for climate action. With a new administration in the USA and the COP26 meeting in the UK, 2021 will be a crucial year for the global climate response. Let’s see how open data can play its […]
Partnering with ODI to improve Frictionless Data
In the framework of the Open Data Institute’s fund to develop open source tools for data institutions, the Open Knowledge Foundation (OKF) has been awarded funds to improve the quality and interoperability of Frictionless Data. In light of our effort to make data open and accessible, we are thrilled to announce we will be partnering […]
DataStories Symposium
At the DataStories Symposium 2020 we will explore how people engage with data to create stories. Data is represented in different ways to allow us to understand and make use of it: in numbers, in text, in visualisations, in interactive stories and other forms. Data stories are relevant to many areas of our life – […]
Applications to be the new CEO of Open Knowledge Foundation now open
We want openness of all forms of knowledge to ensure a fair, free future full of possibility for all, where shared knowledge contributes to happier and healthier lives. To this end, we are looking for a CEO who will help us step up as global leaders. Applications for this position are open until the end […]
Our Open Future
A closed future where knowledge belongs to the few; or an open future where knowledge is shared and used by everyone so that we can live happier and healthier lives. Our work has never been more important. And we’d like you to join us. The Open Knowledge Foundation has launched a new campaign for Our Open […]
Catherine Stihler to leave Open Knowledge Foundation to lead Creative Commons
Our Chief Executive Catherine Stihler OBE has accepted a new opportunity and will soon be leaving the Open Knowledge Foundation. She goes with our very warmest wishes and we hope to continue a strong relationship with her in her new role as CEO of Creative Commons. Catherine joined the Open Knowledge Foundation in February 2019 […]
OpenSpending stewardship moving to Datopian
OpenSpending is one of the longest running projects both at Open Knowledge Foundation and within the open data ecosystem in its entirety. Starting life in 2009 as Where Does my Money Go?, OpenSpending has played a vital role in the publication of open budget and spending data by governments world over. Over the past […]
Opinion poll: majority of Brits want government action against online disinformation
A new opinion poll has revealed that a majority of people in the UK want ministers to take action against disinformation on social media sites. The poll by Survation for the Open Knowledge Foundation found that 55 per cent of people in the UK believe the Government should ‘impose compulsory action on social media sites […]
Brits demand openness from government in tackling coronavirus
A new opinion poll has revealed that people across the UK want openness from the government as it tackles the coronavirus pandemic. The Survation poll for the Open Knowledge Foundation found that in response to COVID-19, people want data to be openly available for checking, they are more likely to listen to expert advice from […]
New opinion poll – UK contact-tracing app must take account of human rights
A new opinion poll has revealed that an overwhelming majority of Brits want any coronavirus contact-tracing app to take account of civil liberties and people’s privacy. The Survation poll for the Open Knowledge Foundation comes ahead of today’s evidence session at Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights on the human rights implications of COVID-19 tracing […]
csv,conf returns for version 5 in May
Save the date for csv,conf,v5! The fifth version of csv,conf will be held at the University of California, Washington Center in Washington DC, USA, on May 13 and 14, 2020. If you are passionate about data and its application to society, this is the conference for you. Submissions for session proposals for 25-minute talk […]
Women in data can help tackle gender inequality
Encouraging more women and girls to learn data skills can help tackle gender inequality and build a more diverse society, a conference will hear today. Speaking at the annual ‘Doing Data Right’ conference in Edinburgh, Open Knowledge Foundation chief executive Catherine Stihler will call on governments to do more to engage young women in data […]
EU must work harder to tackle disinformation
The European Union must work harder to tackle the spread of disinformation on the internet, the Open Knowledge Foundation has warned. In a letter to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, chief executive Catherine Stihler has called for action to be ‘prioritised’ regarding online platforms that fail to do enough to tackle disinformation or do not fulfil […]
New Open Knowledge Foundation board chair and vice-chair appointed
The Open Knowledge Foundation is delighted to announce that Vanessa Barnett has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Directors, and Helen Turvey has been appointed as Vice-Chair. Vanessa Barnett said: “It is a great honour to be appointed Chair of the Open Knowledge Foundation, at an incredibly exciting time for the organisation. […]
UK Health Secretary challenged to tackle access to medicines
The Open Knowledge Foundation has written to Westminster Health Secretary Matt Hancock to demand the UK Government plays its role in addressing the global lack of access to medicines. The challenge comes after the UK disassociated itself from an international agreement aimed at reducing the cost of drugs across the world. The resolution at the World […]
Reflections on the 2019 European parliamentary elections
With around 200 million people voting across Europe, the make-up of the new European Parliament for the next five years has been decided. While the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) won the most seats, its contingent is down on the previous election. The traditional centre-left grouping of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) – which I was […]
The Sum of Our Parts – Open Organisations
This post was originally published by Open Data Charter. The “open” sector, encompassing organisations working on transparency, civic participation, and open data, has grown fast in many countries in the past decade, aided by political champions and a generous funding environment. Today, there is a sense of waning political interest amongst previous high-level advocates and an […]
For a fair, free and open future: celebrating 15 years of the Open Knowledge Foundation
Fifteen years ago, the Open Knowledge Foundation was launched in Cambridge by entrepreneur and economist Rufus Pollock. At the time, open data was an entirely new concept. Worldwide internet users were barely above the 10 per cent mark, and Facebook was still in its infancy. But Rufus foresaw both the massive potential and the huge […]
EU Council backs controversial copyright crackdown
The Council of the European Union today backed a controversial copyright crackdown in a ‘deeply disappointing’ vote that could impact on all internet users. Six countries voted against the proposal which has been opposed by 5million people through a Europe-wide petition – Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Finland and Sweden. Three more nations abstained, but the […]
EU copyright vote a ‘massive blow’ for internet users
MEPs have today voted to press ahead with a controversial copyright crackdown in a ‘massive blow’ for all internet users. Despite a petition with over 5 million signatures and scores of protests across Europe attended by tens of thousands of people, MEPs voted by 348 to 274 in favour of the changes. It is expected […]
Final copyright vote: MEPs must choose to save the internet
MEPs will today vote on a controversial copyright crackdown that could restrict internet freedoms for millions of people. After years of negotiation, the final vote will be held on reforms that could result in automatic ‘upload filters’ which restrict what can be posted on social media platforms like YouTube. More than 5.1million people have signed a […]
Facebook challenged to tackle the spread of ‘fake news’ ahead of vital European elections
Facebook’s global affairs boss Sir Nick Clegg has been challenged to tackle the spread of ‘fake news’ on Facebook ahead of vital European elections. Catherine Stihler, chief executive of Open Knowledge International and a former MEP, has written to the former Deputy Prime Minister to request more transparency from Facebook and its assistance in resuscitating […]
EU’s chilling copyright crackdown an ‘attack on openness’
EU negotiators have struck a deal over copyright reform that is an ‘attack on openness’, the new chief executive of Open Knowledge International has warned. Catherine Stihler, a former MEP and vice-chair of the European Parliament’s consumer protection committee, said the changes will restrict internet freedoms for millions of users. The agreement will require platforms such […]
Paul Walsh is joining Viderum as CEO
I am delighted to announce that from January 1st 2019 I am moving from Open Knowledge International (OKI) to join OKI’s sister organization Viderum as CEO. In my 4.5 years at OKI, I’ve had the privilege of working across a wide range of the activity the organisation engages in. I’ve written software for immediate deployment […]
Catherine Stihler appointed new CEO of Open Knowledge International
Catherine Stihler has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Open Knowledge International. Catherine has years of experience in the creation and sharing of knowledge on the global stage. She will join the OKI team in February, and will stand down as an MEP at the end of January after an extraordinary career […]
Announcing Rufus Pollock is Joining Viderum
Open Knowledge International and Viderum are delighted to announce that Rufus Pollock is joining Viderum as President and CEO. Rufus is a pioneer and leader in the open data community, founder of Open Knowledge, and the original creator of CKAN. Rufus will also be acquiring a majority stake in Viderum and is committed to ongoing […]
Welcoming our new Open Knowledge International Board
We have a series of important announcements regarding our Open Knowledge International governance. With the organisation having been through significant developments over the past years, we are now at a point of stability, with good systems in place and great staff driving the mission. The current updates to our Board of Directors reflect the new […]
The Open Revolution: rewriting the rules of the information age
Rufus Pollock, the Founder of Open Knowledge International, is delighted to announce the launch of his new book The Open Revolution on how we can revolutionize information ownership and access in the digital economy. About the book Will the digital revolution give us digital dictatorships or digital democracies? Forget everything you think you know about […]
Open Budget Survey 2017: global comparison of budget transparency comes at a critical time
On 30 January 2018 the International Budget Partnership (IBP) has published the Open Budget Survey 2017 with an interactive Data Explorer developed for the IBP by Open Knowledge International and updated for the 2017 survey. Launched in 2006, the Open Budget Survey (OBS) is the world’s only independent, comparative assessment of the three pillars of […]
Publication: A Field Guide to “Fake News” and Other Information Disorders
This blog has been reposted from http://jonathangray.org/2018/01/08/field-guide-to-fake-news/ Last week saw the launch of A Field Guide to “Fake News” and Other Information Disorders, a new free and open access resource to help students, journalists and researchers investigate misleading content, memes, trolling and other phenomena associated with recent debates around “fake news”. The field guide responds to an increasing […]
OKI wins funds from ODI to create Open Data publication toolkit
Open Knowledge International (OKI) has been awarded funds by the Open Data Institute (ODI) as part of a project to enhance and increase adoption of tools and services for open data publishers in the private and public sectors, reducing barriers to publication. OKI’s focus in this programme will be to create better open data publication […]
Pavel Richter stands down as Chief Executive Officer
It is with a mixture of sadness and gratitude that the Board of Directors announces that Pavel Richter will be leaving his position as Chief Executive Officer of Open Knowledge International as of today. He will be available to support the Board and Leadership Team until the end of 2017, to ensure a smooth transition. […]
New site SubsidyStories.eu shows where nearly 300bn of EU subsidies go across Europe
Open Knowledge Germany and Open Knowledge International launched SubsidyStories.eu: a database containing all recipients of EU Structural Funds, accounting for 292,9 Billion Euros of EU Subsidies. The European Union allocates 44 % of its total 7-year budget through the European Structural Funds. Who received these funds – accounting for 347 Billion Euro from 2007 – […]
Open Knowledge International receives $1.5 million from Omidyar Network
We’ve recently received funding from Omidyar Network, which will allow us to further our commitment to civil society organisations! Open Knowledge International has received a two-year grant amounting to $1.5 million from Omidyar Network to support the development and implementation of our new civil society-focused strategy. Running until the end of December 2018, this grant […]
Danish Energinet.dk will use CKAN to launch Energy DataStore – a free and open portal for sharing energy data
For immediate release Open data service provider Viderum is working with Energinet.dk, the gas and electricity transmission system operator in Denmark, to provide near real-time access to Danish energy data. Using CKAN, an open-source platform for sharing data originally developed by Open Knowledge International, Energinet.dk’s Energy DataStore will provide easy and open access to large […]
OpenTrialsFDA presents prototype as finalist for the Open Science Prize
For immediate release Open Knowledge International is thrilled to announce that the OpenTrialsFDA team is presenting its prototype today at the BD2K Open Data Science Symposium in Washington, DC as finalist for the Open Science Prize. The Open Science Prize is a global science competition to make both the outputs from science and the research […]