Strengthening National Statistics Through Openness

Strengthening National Statistical Systems Through Openness

Data For Now Initiative Workshops on Open Statistical Systems

High-quality, timely data are essential for shaping effective policies and improving lives. But even the best data have no impact if they remain out of reach. To ensure that the value of official statistics is fully realized, national statistical offices must embrace open data practices that make information accessible, usable, and trusted by all. To assist national statisticians in putting open data into practice, Open Data Watch has produced that provide training materials on capacity building for open data.

In 2025, Open Data Watch joined the Data for Now initiative in hosting two virtual workshops on the Foundations of Open Statistical Systems based on modules 1, 2, and 3. These sessions brought together national experts and staff from Open Data Watch and the United Nations Statistics Division to explore how national statistical systems can implement open data principles and deliver data effectively through modern platforms.

The videos of those sessions along with the PowerPoint presentations are now available online. Links to the videos, the PowerPoint presentations, and the training modules are provided below.

The first workshop introduced the core concepts of open data, focusing on practical steps statistical agencies can take to make their data open by default. Participants discussed licensing, publishing in open formats, and the importance of metadata to ensure that data are not only available but also truly usable.

Below is a recording of the first workshop and a download link for the slide deck used for the presentation.

Download the slide deck for Session 1.

The second workshop examined how NSOs can deliver open data through well-designed, user-centered data portals. Topics included common challenges with national reporting platforms, guidelines for improving discoverability and accessibility, and examples of open-source tools that make building and maintaining portals more feasible.

Below is a recording of the second workshop and a download link for the slide deck used for the presentation.

Download the slide deck for Session 2.

By sharing real-world examples and actionable guidance, these sessions equipped participants with strategies to strengthen their national statistical systems. Openness is not just a technical standard—it’s a commitment to transparency, collaboration, and maximizing the value of public data for decision-makers, researchers, and citizens alike.

Open Data Capacity Building Modules

The two workshops drew on a broader set of Open Data Capacity Building Modules originally developed by Open Data Watch for the United Nations Statistics Division, under the Data for Now initiative. These modules form a comprehensive curriculum designed to help national statistical offices strengthen their open data practices across the entire data value chain. Each syllabus provides trainers with detailed guidance, structured learning objectives, and practical activities that can be adapted for in-person or virtual training.

The material presented in the workshops was derived from Modules 1 through 3, which introduce the core principles of open data, metadata, and data portals. Additional modules expand into more advanced topics, including data storytelling and the integration of citizen-generated data into official statistical systems.

Module 1 — Open Data Across the National Statistical System:

This module introduces the fundamental concepts and principles of open data and explains how they apply across the national statistical system. It provides a broad survey of open data benefits, coordination challenges, and practical steps for beginning the journey toward open-by-default data practices. No prior experience with open data is required, making it an ideal starting point for new staff and cross-agency teams.
Download Module 1

Module 2 — Open Metadata:

Metadata are essential for making data usable, discoverable, and interoperable. This module explains what metadata are, why they matter, and how they support effective open data implementation. It introduces international metadata standards, types of metadata and their functions, and practical guidance for drafting, compiling, and maintaining high-quality metadata.
Download Module 2

Module 3 — Open Data Portals:

Focusing on the delivery layer of open data systems, this module explores the role of data portals in making official statistics accessible and user-friendly. It reviews the UNSD Principles and Guidelines for data platforms, identifies common portal challenges, and presents approaches to improving openness and usability. Examples of open-source portal technologies help agencies understand options that align with their needs and resources.
Download Module 3

Module 4 — Storytelling with Open Data:

This module equips participants with the skills to communicate key messages and insights drawn from open data. It covers how to understand user needs, craft clear narratives, and create effective visualizations that combine text and graphics. Designed for staff who work on communications and dissemination and other data intermediaries, the module supports NSOs in increasing the visibility and impact of their data products.
Download Module 4

Module 5 — Citizen-Generated Data and Open Data:

This module introduces the landscape of citizen-generated data (CGD) and its growing role within official and non-official statistical systems. It explains how CGD can complement traditional data sources, outlines the Copenhagen Framework for citizen data, and highlights stewardship considerations for NSOs operating within increasingly complex data ecosystems. Participants learn how CGD can fill information gaps and support more responsive, user-centered data production.
Download Module 5

Strengthening National Statistics Through Openness

Strengthening National Statistical Systems Through Openness

Open Data Capacity Building Modules

Author: Open Data Watch

Related posts