Uzhgorod City, Ukraine adopts the international Open Data Charter principles
The Open Data Charter is pleased to welcome Uzhgorod City, Ukraine to our global network of adopters
- Why did your government adopt the Charter and what benefits do you hope to gain?
This important step reflects our constant readiness for improvement and transparency of our territorial community’s activities.
The adoption of the Open Data Charter is part of our strategy to implement modern technologies and effective management principles. We believe that providing access to open data creates not only the basis for ensuring the transparency of our activities before citizens, but also contributes to the adoption of innovative decisions and improves the quality-of-service provision.
Future benefits we hope to gain from adopting the Open Data Charter include:
- Increased transparency: Providing access to data about our activities will allow citizens and interested parties to better understand how the local government works and to see our openness.
- Stimulating innovation: Open data can become a source of information for developers, researchers and entrepreneurs who can create new products and services based on this data.
- Public Involvement: Citizens will have the opportunity to participate more actively in decision making, using facts and data analysis, which will contribute to the development of civil society.
- Improving the quality of services: Analyzing open data can help us identify areas where we can optimize our activities and improve the provision of services to citizens.
We see the implementation of the Open Data Charter as a long-term commitment to our community and partners. We believe that this step will help us become a more open, efficient, and innovative local.
2. How have you approached the guiding principle of becoming open by default?
Openness by default — provision of disclosure by administrators of all public information in the form of open data that is in their possession, except for information that is classified by law as information with limited access, as well as information that is not subject to disclosure in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Access to Public Information”. We are always guided by this defining principle when processing and publishing open data. We share not only mandatory data sets, but also additional ones that are of public interest. We are populating the City’s Open Data Portal and are committed to ensuring that it provides ongoing, secure access to quality datasets for all interested users.
3. What challenges have you encountered from developing and implementing your open data policy and which area would you seek most support from the Charter network?
Our biggest challenge is integrating the various stakeholders into the open data ecosystem, and we will need support from our Charter colleagues in this area.
To overcome these challenges, it is important to have a clear strategy, engage with the public and the international community, follow best practices, and consider all important aspects when developing and implementing an open data policy.
4. Based on your experience, what is your top tip for government officials implementing open data initiatives?
One of the top tips for government officials implementing open data initiatives is to focus on transparency and collaboration with the public. Here are some key aspects:
1) ensuring the availability and comprehensibility of open data;
2) protection of privacy and security when publishing open data;
3) provision of monitoring, relevance and updating of open data;
4) provision of technical infrastructure and personnel training for proper disclosure and use of data.
5) informing the public about the existence and availability of data, as well as about the possibilities of their use;
6) cooperation with other countries and organizations to share data and best practices in the field of open data.
In general, it is important to adhere to the principles of transparency, openness and fair access to data when implementing open data initiatives in order to achieve their maximum social and economic impact. Instead, we recommend incorporating open data into community strategies, plans and programs.
5. Is there a particular policy challenge or sector that your open data strategy will seek to tackle?
An open data strategy can address a variety of policy issues and has many different aspects.
As a local self-government body, we are most interested in the transparency and openness of the activities of the Uzhhorod City Council, which relate to solving local-level tasks, namely: receipt and use of local budget funds, management of communal property and land, provision of administrative and social services, issues related to development education, medicine, culture, and sports.
We are thrilled to welcome the city of Uzhgorod to the ODC Network and look forward to being a part of their journey towards openness! Read their adoption letter here.
