Open Data Watch builds and maintains partnerships with a diverse range of organizations working across the domains of open data for development, statistical capacity building, and government transparency. In addition to our long-standing partnerships with organizations such as Data2X, PARIS21, and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, Open Data Watch has worked closely with many other international organizations and governments working to promote prosperity and equality in a wide range of contexts. Click below to learn more about our partners and supporters.
AidData
AidData is a research lab at William & Mary. They equip policymakers and practitioners with better evidence to improve how sustainable development investments are targeted, monitored, and evaluated. They use rigorous methods, cutting-edge tools, and granular data to answer the question: who is doing what, where, for whom, and to what effect? Housed in William & Mary’s Institute for the Theory and Practice of International Relations, AidData’s work crosses sectors and disciplines, and serves the unique needs of both the policy and academic communities, as well as acting as a bridge between the two.
Center for Open Data Enterprise
The Center for Open Data Enterprise (CODE) is an independent nonprofit organization that develops smarter open data strategies for governments, businesses, and other nonprofits by focusing on data users. Open data can support economic growth and social good around the world. To realize its promise, this global resource needs to be developed and managed in ways that meets the needs of the people and organizations that use it. However, there are currently few effective ways for data users to give input and feedback. CODE seeks to fill this gap by starting with data users – working with governments, businesses, and nonprofits – to develop smarter open data strategies.
Centre for Excellence
Housed at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Centre of Excellence is a global resource hub that actively supports national efforts to develop, strengthen, and scale-up civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. Its role is to facilitate access to technical assistance, global standards and tools, evidence, and good practice. Funded by Global Affairs Canada and IDRC, the Centre of Excellence works in close collaboration with the Global Financing Facility, a key financing platform of the UN Secretary General’s Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016-2030).
Cepei
The Centro de Pensamiento Estratégico Internacional (CEPEI) is an independent data-driven think tank, working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to scale up the participation of the global South within the sustainable development agendas. The center was founded in 2003 and since then has worked closely with decision-makers and those who influence them, by analyzing, promoting ideas, generating capacities, and providing demand-driven information about development processes.
Data2x
Data2X is a collaborative technical and advocacy platform dedicated to improving the quality, availability, and use of gender data in order to make a practical difference in the lives of women and girls worldwide. Data2X works with UN agencies, governments, civil society, academics, and the private sector to close gender data gaps, promote expanded and unbiased gender data collection, and use gender data to improve policies, strategies, and decision-making. Data2X is a gender data lead within the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data.
DataReady
DataReady works at the intersection of digital and data policy, technological innovation and regulatory standards. It believes that people determine the value of data, and data policy should reflect real-world needs. It works with the UN Development Operations Coordination Office to help build a transparent and accountable UN development system. It manages an open, global consultation process for the Open Data Charter. And it encourages data sharing and interoperability on a global scale through support of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data.
Development Gateway
Development Gateway (DG) is a nonprofit that works to ensure governments, organizations, and citizens can access, understand, and apply data to achieve sustainable development outcomes. DG partners with 35+ governments and numerous development organizations to create tools, skills and processes for data-driven decision-making. DG has extensive in-house technology, data and training expertise, and also studies how to enable development data use. DG works across development sectors with special expertise in open government, citizen engagement and results-based management.
Development Initiatives
Development Initiatives (DI) is an independent international development organization that focuses on the role of data in driving poverty eradication and sustainable development. Since DI began in 1993 its expertise and passions have been rooted in the role data can play. It is focused on getting better data on poverty and vulnerability to reveal where need is greatest and whether efforts are working. It is dedicated to improving information about resources so that they can be targeted effectively. And it wants to help others use data to improve decision-making and drive better results.
Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data
The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data was established to help stakeholders across countries and sectors fully harness the data revolution for sustainable development, using this new knowledge to improve lives and protect the planet. The Global Partnership is a growing network of 300 members.
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world. For 50 years, it has supported efforts to advance education for all, preserve the environment, improve lives and livelihoods in developing countries, promote the health and economic well-being of women, support vibrant performing arts, strengthen Bay Area communities, and make the philanthropy sector more effective.
International Development Research Centre
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) funds research in developing countries to promote growth, reduce poverty, and drive large-scale positive change. A Crown corporation, it supports leading thinkers who advance knowledge and solve practical development problems. It provides the resources, advice, and training needed to implement and share their solutions with those who need them most. In short, IDRC increases opportunities — and makes a real difference in people’s lives. IDRC was established by an act of Canada’s parliament in 1970.
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations agency dealing with labor issues. The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. Unlike other United Nations specialized agencies, the ILO has a tripartite governing structure – representing governments, employers, and workers. The rationale behind the tripartite structure is creation of free and open debate among governments and social partners.
Open Data Charter
The Open Data Charter is a collaboration between governments and experts working to open up data. It was founded in 2015 around six principles for how governments should be publishing information. The aspiration was that data should be open by default, timely and interoperable. More than 70 governments and organizations have joined the movement. The Charter’s goal is to embed a culture and practice of openness in governments in ways that are resilient to change through opening up data.
Open Data for Development
The Open Data for Development (OD4D) program, housed within the International Development Research Centre, brings together a network of leading implementing partners, with a wealth of experience in developing countries, working to harness open data initiatives to enhance transparency and accountability and to facilitate public service delivery and citizen participation. The goal of OD4D is to scale innovations that are working, and to strengthen coordination among other open data initiatives to ensure they benefit people in developing countries.
Open Knowledge International
The Open Knowledge International (OKI) is a nonprofit promoting open knowledge, including open content and open data. It has published the Open Knowledge Definition and runs several projects, e.g., CKAN, the data portal software used by many governments for their open data projects and Where Does My Money Go, a service to monitor government spending. As well as technical tools, the foundation also provides advocacy and licensing advice around open content issues.
OpenGov Hub
The Open Gov Hub is a nonprofit social enterprise that supports a network of over 40 organizations working worldwide. It was founded in 2012 to break through traditional silos between different sectors and organizations, and to catalyze sharing and collaboration needed to rise to the global challenges of today, particularly related to good governance and opening up governments. By bringing together researchers, data analysts, communicators, technologists, lawyers, journalists, and more, it began to uncover the tremendous potential of this themed model of co-location and collaboration, particularly as it worked on opengov related issues in many different countries and contexts.
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international economic organization of countries founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. It is a forum of countries committed to democracy and the market economy, providing a platform to compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practices and coordinate domestic and international policies of its members.
Q-Step at Manchester University
Q-Step is a £19.5 million program designed to promote a step-change in quantitative social science training. Over a five-year period from 2013, fifteen universities across the UK are delivering specialist undergraduate programs, including new courses, work placements and pathways to postgraduate study. Expertise and resources are shared across the higher education sector through an accompanying support program, which also forges links with schools and employers.
PARIS21
The PARIS21 consortium was launched as a catalyst for promoting a culture of evidence-based policymaking and monitoring in all countries, especially in developing countries. It is a partnership of policymakers, analysts, and statisticians from all countries of the world, focusing on promoting high-quality statistics, making these data meaningful, and designing sound policies. PARIS21 fosters more effective dialogue among producers and users of development statistics via international events, country-based activities, regional workshops, and subject matter task teams.
Thematic Research Network on Data and Statistics
The SDSN Thematic Research Network on Data and Statistics (TReNDS) convenes experts to catalyze learning and investment in the data revolution for development. An explosion in available resources and the rapid evolution of technologies are transforming how governments, citizens, and companies use data, particularly to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its experts from across the global scientific, development, public, and private sector data communities analyze and advise on past, current, and emerging approaches to ensure that the benefits of the data revolution are extended to those most in need.
United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation supports the UN to execute its programs worldwide. It links the UN’s work with others around the world, mobilizing the energy and expertise of business and non-governmental organizations to tackle issues such as climate change, global health, peace and security, women’s empowerment, poverty eradication, and energy access. The UN Foundation is the largest source of private funding to the UN and encourages other donors also to support UN activities.
UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has been operating since 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. It aims to accelerate joint learning and promote integrated approaches that address the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting the world. SDSN works closely with United Nations agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) is the central group in the UN Secretariat to meet the needs and coordinate activities of the global statistical system. It brings together chief statisticians from countries worldwide and both compiles and disseminates global statistical information, developing standards and norms for statistical activities and supporting countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems. UNSD regularly publishes data updates and in-depth reports on statistics and statistical methods.
The World Bank
The World Bank promotes economic growth and poverty reduction. It provides developing countries with low-cost financing for projects ranging from building roads, schools and hospitals, to improving overall government operations. Beyond financing, it provides countries with access to teams of experts who help design and implement the World Bank-funded projects and provide technical advice and assistance. Its Open Data Policy in 2010 has led the way in opening organizational data to ensure countries can access the most current knowledge via free access to statistics, data tools, and research.