Open Data Maturity in Europe
Publication Date/Time
2015-11-06T11:15:00+00:00
Where do the European countries stand with regard to the deployment of
Open Data?
WHERE DO THE 28 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES PLUS LIECHTENSTEIN, NORWAY AND
SWITZERLAND (EU28+) STAND WITH REGARD TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF OPEN DATA?
AN OVERVIEW OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FINDINGS OF THE OPEN DATA MATURITY
ASSESSMENT, INCLUDING OPEN DATA READINESS AND PORTAL MATURITY.

WHERE DO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES STAND WITH REGARD TO OPEN DATA? WHAT KEY
POLICIES HAVE BEEN SET UP? WHAT ARE THE KEY FEATURES OF NATIONAL DATA
PORTALS?

To measure Open Data Maturity two key indicators have been selected.
These indicators cover both the maturity of national policies
promoting Open Data as well as an assessment of the features made
available on national data portals

OPEN DATA READINESS IS FOCUSED ON POLICIES, LICENSING NORMS,
COORDINATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, USE AND IMPACT.

The Open Data Readiness indicator shows an EU28+ AVERAGE OF 44.7%. In
total, 27 countries have a NATIONAL OPEN DATA PORTAL, leaving 4
countries without a portal. An OPEN DATA POLICY is in place in 71% of
the countries often as part of a more generic Digital Strategy or
eGovernment programme. MORE THAN 8 EVENTS are held in 35% of the
countries. The field with the most room for improvement is national
coordination.

PORTAL MATURITY CONSISTS OF USABILITY OF THE PORTAL, RE-USABILITY OF
DATA AND SPREAD ACROSS DOMAINS.

The Portal Maturity indicator shows an EU28+ AVERAGE OF 40.8%. There
is a huge difference between features on the national portals. Only
33% of the portals offer a FEEDBACK MECHANISM. Furthermore, the
availability of MACHINE-READABLE DATA is relatively low. 15% of the
countries have more than 75% of their data available in
machine-readable format. The TOP DATA DOMAIN indicated by the
countries was 'Statistics'. However, only 17 countries were able to
provide PORTAL STATISTICS.

BASED ON THESE RESULTS, THE EU28+ ARE CLUSTERED INTO THREE DIFFERENT
LEVELS OF OPEN DATA MATURITY:

BEGINNERS: the initial steps have been made, but countries still
struggle with basics around availability and accessibility. Portal
functionalities remain limited and there is a limited coverage in
terms of datasets.
FOLLOWERS: the basics are set, including a clear vision and there are
advanced features on the portal. However, the approach to the release
of data is very much in silo and remains limited.
LEADERS - TREND SETTERS: these are the most advanced and have solid
Open Data portals with elaborate functionalities and coordination
mechanisms across domains.
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/portal-maturity-v-opendata-readiness.png]
As the picture shows, most countries are now in the 'Followers' group
and on their way to becoming 'Trend Setters'.

TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OPEN DATA, A SERIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN
MADE.

 	* Defining an OPEN DATA STRATEGY as the most solid basis for
cooperation across public administrations and engaging more with
potential re-users
 	* Adding basic functionalities on a portal to increase USER
FRIENDLINESS and stimulate re-use
 	* Increasing AWARENESS among citizens and businesses around Open
Data
 	* Offering TRAININGS to civil servants to increase understanding of
Open Data
 	* Developing NATIONAL GUIDELINES addressing priority domains and
frequency of data release to support local initiatives
 	* Measuring the SUCCESS of an Open Data initiative can help identify
benefits and room for improvement

This landscaping will serve as the knowledge base to help build a
European leaders' network of experts and to dive deeper into national
activities, to understand where to provide common support activities,
and where to offer further specialised training and coaching
assistance. Revisions of this study are planned for 2016 and 2017.

To read the full insight report:
 [https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/download.png]
[/sites/default/files/edp_landscaping_insight_report_n1_-_final.pdf]
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