More Openness, Not Less: Why We Must Defend Transparency in a Shrinking Civic Space  

In recent years, the global civic space has been shrinking at an alarming rate. Governments are cutting budgets, laying off staff, and scaling back initiatives that support openness, transparency and accountability. At the same time, restrictions on civil society, the media, and digital freedoms are making it harder for citizens to access information, engage with…

Nandi County’s Data-Driven Revolution: A Model for Effective Service Delivery

For years, the Open Institute has worked diligently to guide counties towards more effective, data-centred decision-making. Our focus has been on equipping local governments with essential tools and expertise, ensuring better resource allocation, stronger policies, and improved public services. In the last two and a half years, our partnership with Nandi and Kilifi counties has…

Hyperlocal Social Infrastructure for Systems Change

Systems change is the goal of our work, promoting Responsive Governments and Active Citizenship. Our pursuit of this goal has continually convinced us that systemic transformation must be built from the ground up. Actual progress lies in adjusting policies and reconfiguring the societal and governance ecosystems that determine whose voices are amplified and silenced. To…

#FichaUchi: How community radio localized Data Rights Awareness in Kenyan Communities

We launched the #FichaUchi campaign to raise awareness about the inadvertent exposure of personal information among Kenyan citizens. Through a series of talk shows broadcasted on community radios across nine counties in Kenya, we sought to shed light on data protection and educate citizens with knowledge about their rights. The discussions touched on various facets…

From Learners to Leaders: SUCAM’s Data-Driven Advocacy Journey

Between May and July this year, we successfully ran a 6-week Data Leaders Fellowship Program tailored for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs). The program was aimed at equipping them with skills to understand the use of data and evidence to demand accountability. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Global Goals,…

Building a data-driven culture to #MakeNairobiWork

Goal 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) explicitly recognizes the importance of data in strengthening the means of implementation of the global partnership for sustainable development. It highlights the need to improve the availability of high-quality, timely, and reliable data. The availability of real-time data helps governments make more informed decisions that are based…