Open Data Portals around Europe: Finland's Avoindata.fi driving open data innovation

Avoindata.fi is Finland's national open data catalogue, developed by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. The platform provides access to over 2,300 datasets across diverse categories, including regions and cities, and science and technology. Its advanced search capabilities, including a map-based filter for location-specific data, make it easy for users to find the information they need. The portal also features a comprehensive user guide explaining what open data is and how to effectively find and use it. Additionally, 72 APIs enable developers to seamlessly integrate Finnish open data into their applications. 

The website highlights several case studies demonstrating the impact of open data. For example, a trail map allows users to discover Finland's best hiking routes, while the “Autumn Foliage Live” tool identifies the most scenic spots to visit during autumn. The portal’s most popular dataset, which presents a collection of the most common Finnish names, exemplifies how data can both engage and provide valuable insights to users. These examples illustrate the wide-ranging practical applications of open data and encourage others to explore its potential.  

With multilingual support in Finnish, Swedish, and English, avoindata.fi ensures accessibility for both local and international audiences. The portal also promotes efficient data sharing by providing a detailed operating model with guidelines for public sector bodies and other organisations. These guidelines ensure that data is shared in a standardised manner, promoting collaboration, and driving innovation across various sectors. 

Datasets from avoindata.fi are harvested by data.europa.eu and made available on our open data portal. This connection allows Finland’s data to reach a broader audience, contributing to a unified European open data ecosystem.  

For more news and events, follow us on X/Twitter and LinkedIn, or subscribe to our newsletter.