Open Data & Open Government

A brief introduction to transparency and digital democracy

Pavél Harold Llamocca Portella
April 2025

Introduction

  • In the digital age, governments and institutions are rethinking how they interact with citizens.
  • Concepts like Open Data and Open Government are key to building more transparent, accountable, and participatory societies.
  • But what do these terms really mean?
  • In this presentation, we’ll explore their definitions, benefits, and challenges.

📊 What is Open Data?

  • Open Data refers to data that is made freely available to everyone.
  • It can be used, reused, and shared by anyone — with no restrictions.
  • It is usually provided by:
    • Governments
    • Public institutions
    • NGOs and research centers

🧩 Key Characteristics of Open Data

  • ✅ Accessible – available online in open formats (CSV, JSON, etc.)
  • ✅ Free – no cost or legal barriers to access or reuse
  • ✅ Reusable – licensed in a way that allows modification and redistribution
  • ✅ Timely – released as quickly as possible to remain useful

🌍 Examples of Open Data Platforms