Open State Foundation

Description

Open State Foundation is based in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, at the Marineterrein. It works on digital transparency by opening up public information as open data. It holds that transparency and public information have long served as a key instrument for improving accountability and participation.

Advances in digital technology now allow public data to be distributed in bulk. This lets people gather, visualise, remix and share entire datasets through applications, websites and mobile apps. The foundation focuses on moving public bodies from simply publishing information towards releasing genuine open data. That means information in an open, machine-readable format, free of restrictions on reuse and available online.

It argues that publishing public information this way removes barriers to reuse. This opens up new possibilities for business, research and policy. It frames this work as a way of strengthening democracy and creating civic and economic value.

The foundation organises a recurring gathering called Hack de Overheid.