Open data as a tool to reduce inequalities

The public sector is not only a great provider of open data, but also one of its main users. Open data facilitates contact and direct communication between governments and citizens. This can drive more efficient and effective public policies.

Among other areas, open data has great potential to develop policies and tools that contribute to the protection of minorities and groups at risk of social exclusion. These social groups often find difficult to participate fully in society. For that reason, we need mechanisms to sensitize all citizens and create opportunities, reducing inequalities and discrimination.

The interest of governments in this field is evident. As an example, events such as the International Open Data Conference (IODC), whose agenda includes multiple spaces focused on social justice, immigrant integration and gender issues.

In Spain, resources are also being allocated to open this type of data, and organizations are carrying out initiatives aimed at social improvements.

Greater openness of data linked to social indicators

In different Spanish regions, organizations are creating specific spaces to share data that foster social debate around inequality.

One example is The Observatory of inequality in Aragon, created with the aim of "providing transparency to the evolution and effects of inequality". This portal provides indicators related to different categories such as employment, disability, dependency, care for the elderly, housing, family or immigration, among other categories.

In the same vein, we find The Observatory of the Social Reality of Navarra, whose objective is "the research, planning and evaluation of public policies focused on social services, employment and housing, as well as the analysis of the processes of social transformation and the social problems in the Autonomous Community ". With this objective, it offers various statistics, indicators and studies on levels of employment, immigration, dependency or international cooperation, among others.

But not only public organizations are concerned about this issue. Private companies have also promoted websites such as The Social Observatory of La Caixa, where their own indicators are published openly. This contribute to a better diagnosis of the social reality.

Thanks to the opening and dissemination of this type of information, citizens can make an informed judgment and demand effective improvements. In addition, NGOs can better understand the reality they face and suggest specific improvement actions.

Tools to facilitate integration

The opening of this type of data has also facilitated the creation of mechanisms and tools aimed at facilitating the integration of groups in vulnerable situations. In recent years, state and local public authorities have supported different events, contests, hackathons, etc. to promote applications and new services that help inclusion. This is the case of 'Accede' project, promoted by the Accessibility area of the City of Málaga. This project will facilitate the creation of an easy and intuitive application to boost urban accessibility for the elderly and people with functional diversity, using open data from the municipality.

Another example, coming from the private sector, is "Ni un hogar sin energía" (No home without energy), a platform based on open data promoted by Ecodes to save energy and avoid energy poverty. Thanks to this platform, citizens who need help can receive information about social aid, initiatives and projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and access to energy.

In short, the analysis and reuse of open data is allowing administrations to bring their policies to the public. Likewise, a more informed society can elaborate its own informed judgments and promote policies that facilitate the integration and social inclusion of vulnerable groups.