The South at the world’s centre: OKFN dive into Uruguay’s data marathon

At the beginning of November, I visited Uruguay in the capacity of Open Knowledge Foundation’s Partnerships Lead to take part in #MaratónDeDatos, a pool of various events focused on the work with data, open data and open knowledge, and a meeting point for the global community engaged with the topic. I first arrived in Montevideo […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Kenya 🇰🇪

On 4  March 2023, Fablab Winam organised the Open Data Day at Rosemary Hotel, Kamas, Kisumu, where 30 participants joined the event. The objective of the event was to introduce modern technology in local manufacturing optimisation and transformation using open data to AI. The event approach had greater challenges, especially since we were working with […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Argentina 🇦🇷

Damegender organised the Open Data Day event on 7 March 2023 at a coworking space in Argentina, where a presentation session on the concept of DameGender and Free Licences was conducted. David Arroyo Menéndez led the presentation. The first presentation was about, “Towards an international and free dataset about name, gender and frequency”, where he […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Chile 🇨🇱

Abriendo Datos Foundation and Flacso Chile have worked for three years in the development of “Verano de Datos Abiertos” (Open Data Summer), an initiative that promotes the debate about the open data ecosystem and also contributes to a culture of learning in the context of Chile. To celebrate Open Data Day, Fundación Abriendo Datos hosted […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Ethiopia 🇪🇹

On 9 March 2023, Acatech Technology PLC in collaboration with Open Knowledge Ethiopia organised the Open Data Day event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. “Open data-driven AI in Ethiopia: Hackathon Event” was the thematic focus of the event. The event brought together participants from Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopian Statistics Service, Ethiopian Policy Studies, Information Network […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Tanzania 🇹🇿

GeoTE Tanzania celebrated Open Data Day on 10 March 2023, where representatives from different organisations and students participated in the event. The event theme was “Mapping with Artificial Intelligence for Disaster Response”, where we aimed to help create open data to help areas affected by earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The event was successfully organised […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Madagascar 🇲🇬

To give the opportunity to learn Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for biodiversity conservation for young researchers of the University of Mahajanga, Tanjona Association organised the Open Data Day event. This event was held on 9 – 10 March 2023 at the University of Mahajanga, under the name “Hay Tech” as same as the last […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Togo 🇹🇬

As part of the commemoration of Open Data Day, OpenStreetMap (OSM) Togo in partnership with Wikimedia Community Togo and Internet Society Togo’s chapter hosted a “Meet-up on Artificial Intelligence and Open Data” on 4th March 2023. The event aims to bring together data stakeholders at the same table to discuss the real potential of open […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Namibia 🇳🇦

On 21 April 21, 2023, We Are Capable (WAC) Namibia hosted Open Data Day at the Namibia Business Innovation Centre boardroom of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). The event was held with the theme “Challenges and opportunities in promoting ethical and cultural AI through open data and data sharing”. The event aimed […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Philippines 🇵🇭

On March 4, 2023, USTP YouthMappers organised Open Data Day 2023 with the theme “Empowering AI and Mapping with Open Data” at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Cagayan de Oro Campus. With 40 participants, the training workshop was a tremendous success, and it was encouraging to see that more than half […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Venezuela 🇻🇪

The Latin American Center for Internet Research (CLISI) held a discussion on Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Open Data in the city of Valencia, in the spaces of the Librería La Alegría to celebrate Open Data Day 2023. The attendees interested in the subject, as well as a group of journalists from the Carabobo region, […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Uganda 🇺🇬

To commemorate Open Data Day 2023, Amara Hub convened a co-creation session to discuss the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in conservation efforts in Northern Uganda. The session was attended by a diverse spectrum of participants from Uganda Wildlife Authority, Africa Wildlife Federation, Uganda Conservation Foundation, Unwanted Witness along with conservation tech enthusiasts and practitioners, […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Burkina Faso 🇧🇫

On 10th March 2023, Youth Open Data organised a workshop to mark Open Data Day. The workshop brought together 40 young leaders and representatives of civil society organisations in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The general objective of the workshop was to exchange understanding, commitment, and action at the national level in terms of Artificial intelligence (AI) […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Nepal 🇳🇵

To celebrate Open Data Day 2023, the Nepal Institute of Research and Communications (NIRC) implemented the ‘Enhancing Nepali Youth’s Awareness on Climate Change through AI Technology (ENACT)’ project to train Nepalese Youth’s on climate change. The project was implemented to: Sensitise the local youth/early career researchers about emerging climate change issues and the potential effects […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Colombia 🇨🇴

For the Open Data Day 2023 celebration Grafoscopio Community organised “Data Week: De los datos comunitarios a los chatbots” which was attended by the librarians, musicians, activists, academics, data analysts, and other participants of the Grafoscopio Community in the HackBo hackerspace in Bogotá, Colombia. The event started with the introduction of participants, event, and hackerspace; […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Nigeria 🇳🇬

On 8th March 2023, Women Environmental Programme (WEP) celebrated Open Data Day 2023 with the theme “Open AI for Environmental Conservation”. The event was attended by staff and volunteers of WEP and open data enthusiasts that were both present in-person and online. The objective of the event was to teach participants how Open AI solutions […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

GSU YouthMappers hosted the Open Data Day event on 10th March 2023 at Gwanda State University, Zimbabwe. The event theme was “Open Data and AI in Transforming Agriculture,” and was inspired by how research organisations are using open data obtained from satellite imagery and other sources to come up with tools that are being used […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Ghana 🇬🇭

Open Data Day event was held in Tamale, Ghana on 10th March 2023, with the theme “Open Data Revolution, Fueling the Future of AI” organised by Dagbani Wikimedians Usergroup. The event featured three speakers who shared their insights on open data initiatives, AI-powered solutions for various industries, and exploring AI for daily problems. It was […]

#ODD2023 Stories @ Democratic Republic of the Congo 🇨🇩

On 9th – 10th March 2023, Act4Change RDC; a youth-led organization based in the Democratic Republic of Congo and whose mission is to fight against poverty through the use of ICT, peace, and democracy organised an Open Data Day event. With the mission of assessing the impact of data in improving the AI’s result automation […]

How to organise a successful Open Data Day event – a complete guide!

Open Data Day (ODD) is the annual celebration of open data all over the world, where groups from around the world create local events to promote open data or use open data in their communities. 2023 Open Data Day(s) will take place from 4th to 10th March. ODD usually sees thousands of people getting together […]

Ready… Set… Register!

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 […]

Get a small grant for your Open Data Day(s) 2023 event – submit your proposal now!

We at Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN) are excited to announce the launch of the Open Data Day(s) 2023 Small Grants Application to support organisations hosting Open Data events and activities across the world. The application deadline is 26th February 2023 and only registered organisations can apply for the grants to host in-person events. The events […]

Using open data to ensure the sustainability of the Ocean

As part of the Open Data Day 2022 special grant category “Ocean data for a thriving planet”, the Open Knowledge Foundation (OKF) supported 4 ocean data events with a grant value of USD $1000 each. Organisations from Argentina, Indonesia, Tanzania, and India were supported to host events and activities during World Oceans Day. The organisations […]

Announcing the winners of the Open Data Day 2022 small grants

Open Knowledge Foundation is excited to announce the list of organisations who have been awarded small grants to help them host Open Data Day events and activities across the world. We received 296 small grants application this year and were greatly impressed by the quality of the event proposals. This year we are supporting 14 […]

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 […]

Open Data Day 2021 will take place on Saturday 6th March

We are pleased to announce that Open Data Day 2021 will take place on Saturday 6th March. Open Data Day is the annual global celebration of open data facilitated by the Open Knowledge Foundation. The Open Data Day website is opendataday.org. Groups from around the world create local events on the day where they will […]

The UK’s National Data Strategy: first impressions and observations

After years of promises, the UK Government has finally announced the launch of a ‘framework’ National Data Strategy. The aim of the strategy is to “drive the UK in building a world-leading data economy while ensuring public trust in data use” and the government has set out five missions for this work: Unlocking the value […]

The Open Human Genome, twenty years on

On 26th June 2000, the “working draft” of the human genome sequence was announced to great fanfare. Its availability has gone on to revolutionise biomedical research. But this iconic event, twenty years ago today, is also a reference point for the value and power of openness and its evolution. Biology’s first mega project Back in […]

Meet the organisations who have been awarded Open Data Day 2020 mini-grants

The Open Knowledge Foundation is happy to announce that dozens of organisations from all over the world have been awarded mini-grants to support the running of events that celebrate Open Data Day on Saturday 7th March 2020. Thanks to the generous support of this year’s mini-grant funders – Datopian, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Hivos, […]

Announcing the launch of the Open Data Day 2020 mini-grant scheme

We are happy to announce the launch of the mini-grant scheme for Open Data Day 2020. This scheme will provide small funds to support the organisation of open data-related events across the world on Saturday 7th March 2020. Thanks to the generous support of this year’s mini-grant funders – Datopian, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, […]

Fighting for a more open world: our CEO’s keynote speech at Open Belgium 2019

On Monday 4th March 2019, Catherine Stihler, the new chief executive of Open Knowledge International, will deliver a keynote speech – Fighting for a more open world – at the Open Belgium 2019 conference in Brussels. Read the speech below and visit the Open Belgium website or follow the hashtag to learn more about the event. […]

Open data governance and open governance: interplay or disconnect?  

Authors: Ana Brandusescu, Carlos Iglesias, Danny Lämmerhirt, Stefaan Verhulst (in alphabetical order) The presence of open data often gets listed as an essential requirement toward “open governance”. For instance, an open data strategy is reviewed as a key component of many action plans submitted to the Open Government Partnership. Yet little time is spent on […]