We help people
publish and use open data
We aim to make open data Useful, Usable and In Use.
We provide technologies, support, and services for the standardisation, production and use of open data.
We provide training, consultancy, helpdesk, and advice to:
- Organisations building and maintaining open data standards
- Organisations publishing open data
- Organisations using open data
We build, develop and maintain software that enables organisations to:
- Publish open data
- Understand the nature, volume and quality of open data
- Use their own open data
- Use other open data resources
We support activities that promote social impacts from open data.
projects
At Open Data Services we like projects that combine innovation and engagement to deliver sustainable social impact with open data.
For larger projects, we work with long-term partners, providing the technical know-how, community engagement and capacity building needed make open data initiatives work effectively. We enjoy challenges that combine inclusive conversation, co-operation and practical action.
For smaller projects, we support organisations with facilitation, workshops, development and research.
Open Data Standards
Enabling insights, engagement and decision making with open data by developing and supporting robust open data standards.
- We manage the global help-desk for the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) including technical infrastructure, data standard governance, and providing ongoing engagement with government, civil societies and organisations implementing Open Contracting.
- We’re working with the World Bank Open Contracting team to develop an extension to the Open Contracting Data Standard to improve disclosure of data about Public Private Partnerships.
- We support 360Giving, a data standard that helps grant-making organisations publish what they fund. We run the UK help-desk, working with organisations to see the opportunities in their data and to publish to the standard.
Tools and Analysis
Developing open source tools and platforms to make data easy to create, analyse and understand.
- We have a tool to transform and validate data. We call it CoVE (Convert, Validate, Explore), and use it to support a growing number of data standards.
- We have a range of tools and practices that make it easier to maintain a data standard.
- Working with 360 Giving, we built GrantNav to help publishers, data users and the public explore, visualise and ask effective questions about grantmaking data.
- Working with the Natural Resource Governance Institute, we developed rapid-prototypes of a set of tools to gather information on oil, gas and mining projects across the world, providing the foundations for ResourceProjects.org.
Data Quality and Capacity
Building organisational capacity in to advocate for, publish and use high quality data.
- We’ve worked with organisations including Bond, SlovakAid, and Plan International UK to support and develop their capacity to publish and use data as part of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI).
- We supported the Initiative for Open Ag Funding with interventions to improve the data landscape on funding for agriculture and food security across the world.
- We’ve undertaken research for the Financial Transparency Coalition on open data opportunities for data on beneficial ownership and tax transparency.
- We’ve helped Big Lottery think through their plans for core data including drafting a policy and developing a plan for their core data.
Data Literacy at the local level
Assisting organisations with publishing and using open data in their communities.
- As part of our commitment to helping organisations adopt effective data policies, we produce and maintain the template open data policy, a free resource for organisations and communities starting out or improving their open data policy.
How can we help you?
Are you interested in working with us on your project?
Contact us to start the conversation.
co-operative
As a workers co-operative we operate as a values-driven business.
We are building for the long-term: we are not controlled by shareholders seeking short-term gain.
Being a workers co-operative is also an experiment. We believe that much open data is a public good, and to sustain public goods we need strong foundations.
We believe that co-operative models are an important part of that.
Our Team
Kadie Armstrong, James Baster, Bibiana Cristòfol, Duncan Dewhurst, Steven Flower, Amy Guy, Mollie Hanley, Jack Lord, Matt Marshall, Jared Parnell, Charlie Pinder, David Raznick, Rob Redpath, David Spencer, Rachel Vint, Ben Webb, Simon Whitehouse, Michael Wood and Tim Williams.
contact us
You can email us at contact@opendataservices.coop.