Open Data Institute

Founded in 2012 to show the value of open data, this London organisation describes itself as independent, non-profit and non-partisan, and it promotes open data for positive change. It is based in London and works with companies, governments and civil society to build an open and trustworthy data ecosystem.

Sector programmes and practical advocacy

The institute says it brings organisations together to tackle social and economic problems with data, using an open approach. Its practical advocacy involves working as a critical friend to businesses and governments, and creating products they can use to support change. It also runs peer networks, which bring together people in similar situations to learn from one another.

Its behaviour change work aims to help organisations that hold and use data adopt more trustworthy practices over time.

Ethics and trust in data

The institute advocates practices that increase trust and trustworthiness. That means building ethical considerations into how data is collected, managed and used, making sure that access to data and its use is fair, and engaging widely with the people and organisations affected by it.

It says it helps people work out how open data can improve decisions and processes in their sector, make services more efficient and effective, and support economic growth and productivity.

Consultancy, policy and technology

The ODI offers strategic advice on how data can help a programme meet its goals and how to measure success. Its policy work looks at how general data governance fits with the norms of each sector, and it develops technical standards and the tools needed to support them. It also produces research, from case studies on the role of data in a sector to rigorous impact evaluation.

The institute says its off-the-shelf products and consultancy are designed to help organisations make more of their data and upgrade their practices.

Training, membership and competitions

The institute's courses use interactive webinars and online platforms with expert trainers, and it offers blended learning packages that combine face-to-face sessions, e-learning and webinars. It runs competitions and acceleration programmes to foster innovation, and it hosts a membership network of organisations and individuals that shares news, events and new data solutions.

It has supported a number of early stage organisations and trained people from banking, government and media, according to its own figures.