In a world where access to information is essential for making better decisions, platforms that centralize and publish public data are key to promoting transparency and strengthening citizen participation. These platforms are known as open data portals, and here we explain what they are, how they work, and why they’re worth exploring.
An open data portal is an online platform where institutions—usually governmental—publish information in accessible and reusable formats. These data sets cover a wide range of topics such as health, transportation, education, environment, or economy, and can be used by anyone.
These types of portals emerge within the context of open government, a management model that promotes transparency, citizen participation, and collaboration among various sectors of society. By releasing public information in a structured and understandable way, a more open and constructive relationship between the state and citizens is fostered.
What is an open data portal for?
An open data portal serves multiple purposes:
- Transparency and accountability: It allows citizens to understand how decisions are made, how public resources are invested, and how key indicators behave in their region.
- Research and analysis: It facilitates the work of journalists, academics, activists, and social organizations who seek evidence and data to support their investigations, projects, or reports.
- Innovation and development: It provides input for the creation of technological solutions, visualizations, apps, and tools that solve real problems using reliable data.
- Informed citizen participation: It empowers people by giving them access to information about their environment and enabling them to participate more actively in public affairs.
Consult and download the data
One of the major advantages of open data portals is that they not only allow users to visualize information through charts, maps, and interactive tables but also make it easy to directly download the data in formats like CSV, JSON, or Excel. This enables anyone to analyze the data themselves, combine it with other sources, or integrate it into their own projects.
At Datasketch, we believe open data portals are a gateway to a more informed, participatory, and fair society. Opening data also means opening opportunities for more people to get involved, understand, and act based on evidence.
Check out this example of how to consult and download data from one of our projects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuOY5T7-wDo&list=PL_K5dhbfg0DowESVMxKa2jpzcBsuqB-0h&index=2
Does your organization want to open its data?
At Datasketch, we’ve supported the design and development of various platforms of this kind, such as the Open Data Portal of Ecuador and the Open Data Portal of Mexico City—two pioneering initiatives that are now regional references for their structure, usability, and user-centered approach.
For us, opening data is not just a technical process, but also a social commitment. It’s an opportunity to strengthen transparency, encourage collaboration, and build more informed societies capable of making evidence-based decisions.
If you’re part of a public institution, social organization, or collective interested in creating an open data portal or integrating this approach into your daily work, we invite you to join our 100 Allies campaign. We’re looking for partners to help transform society through technology. Check out our portfolio of projects and case studies.
Partnering with Datasketch means working with a team that understands both the technical challenges and the communication needs involved in working with open data. Together, we can develop useful, accessible, and sustainable tools that put data at the service of social change.
