In 2020, ILDA made the commitment to implement a regional edition of the Open Data Barometer (ODB). This research aims to assess different open data initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to have a clear picture on how the region is doing in this field, learn from the improvements made by governments that could lead to strengthening horizontal collaboration, and reflect on open data policies and their results.

The Open Data Barometer is a research project that was developed by the World Wide Web Foundation with the support of the Omidyar Network, and IDRC through its OD4D program for some of its editions. It aimed to understand the status and impact of open data initiatives around the world, analyze global trends, and provide comparative data on governments and regions through a detailed methodology that combined context data, technical assessments, and global reports.

Taking into consideration that the last global assessment was carried out in 2016 and that in 2017/8 a special edition was applied only to leading countries, the regional edition for Latin America and the Caribbean that ILDA has proposed is of vital importance to know the current situation in the region. As part of the OD4D program, and with the contribution of the Inter-American Development Bank, CAF, the World Bank and Luminate, this LAC edition has been developed.

The Open Data Barometer for Latin America and the Caribbean covers 24 countries and classifies governments according to:

  • Readiness for open data initiatives.
  • Implementation of open data programs.
  • Impact that open data is having on companies, politics and civil society.

The data and methodology are available online and are intended to support further secondary research and better inform the progression of available data policies and practices in the region.

The periods that each edition of the ODB has covered were:

  • Latin America and the Caribbean Edition: 15-month period, January 2019 to April 2020.
  • Leaders Edition: 15 month period, from July 2016 to September 2017.
  • 4th edition: 12-month period, from July 2015 to June 2016.
  • 3rd edition: 12-month period, from July 2014 to June 2015.
  • 2nd edition: 12-month period, from July 2013 to June 2014.
  • 1st edition: 12-month period, from July 2012 to June 2013.

The research schedules for each edition were:

  • Latin America and the Caribbean Edition: between May 2020 and September 2020.
  • Leaders Edition: between October 2017 and March 2018.
  • 4th edition: between August and December 2016.
  • 3rd edition: between July and October 2015.
  • 2nd edition: between June and September 2014.
  • 1st edition: between July and October 2013.

And the publication dates:

  • Latin America and the Caribbean Edition: November 2020.
  • Leaders Edition: September 2018.
  • 4th edition: May 2017.
  • 3rd edition: April 2016.
  • 2nd edition: January 2015.
  • 1st edition: October 2013.

You can find the full website and report here: Regional Open Data Barometer

Parte de Regional Open Data Barometer: