This is a guest blog post by Fabrizio Scrollini, as part of the IODC Roadmap project, linked to Action Area 5: Strengthening networks of public-interest Innovation.

It’s been five years since the first international open data conference took place. At that time, “open data” was a curious idea with some potential, but greeted with skepticism in a number of fields. Five years on the open data movement has grown exponentially and is established in its own right. Global and regional communities of civil society advocates, public servants, government leaders, technologists and private sector entrepreneurs have seen their combined efforts evolve into a vibrant scene. Enthusiasm is high and this community has gained both momentum and worldwide credibility.

In some ways, this movement has been founded on the idea that open data itself is a potential solution to some of the world’s most complex problems. Many activists stick by a common maxim: “open it up, we will take care of the rest”. Yet, is opening data enough to drive public innovation?

As part of the International Open Data Conference 2015, we want to explore the ways in which open data can support and enhance global networks of public interest innovation. Our working hypothesis is that there are different kinds of public innovation initiatives around the world based on open data. Some of them might be able to scale at a global level, and others might deliver value in their own context. All of them have an important story to tell, and they share common elements to build a shared understanding of what successful public innovation based on open data looks like.

Initially, we wish to consider three ways in which open data fosters public innovation:

• The Adapters: Based on different developments across the global community, actors may choose to adopt an existing initiative or technology that was designed for a particular context, and adapt it to deliver a global, national or local innovation. For instance, the software and data of open spending is now used and re-used in several locations by different actors.
• The Partnerships: At a national, regional, and global level governments are partnering with civil society organizations and leveraging emerging technologies to open data to serve a particular field. Open Contracting and the use of service delivery health data in Uruguay are examples of this emerging trend
• The Solo Operators: Using available open data, public entrepreneurs are able to deliver a creative products and solutions that add value to a given ecosystem.

In all these types there are lessons and common elements. We look forward to answer some these questions:

• What do we know about these initiatives and the key actors involved?
• How should we support these kinds of innovations?
• How do we understand and define whether they are “successful” or not?

Do you have any other examples of networks of public interest innovation? Or ideas on what form these networks can and should take? We are also looking to set up a space to promote current initiatives and set up new ones. So if this appeals to you, come along and stay tuned

Let’s get this conversation started using the hashtags #IODC15 and #INNOVATION or leave a comment in the discussion below.

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