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…
After the successful Ficha Uchi campaign we ran in 2023, reaching over 100 million people digitally, we assessed the impact of our messaging using a powerful tool called Swayable. Swayable operates on the principle of test and control sampling, a method widely employed in research and marketing to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. The test…
Meet Jamila, a 24 year old ambitious young woman living in Nairobi. Jamila loves dancing almost as much as she loves volunteering at her local community centre where she has served for 6 years. So she knows about the challenges her community faces but sometimes she wishes things were different. She wishes young girls could…
Sabasi, our innovative and simple-to-use data collection tool will be going through a series of upgrades throughout the month of February. It has been exciting to witness the platform’s success, and we are committed to providing our users with the best possible experience. As we grow and thrive together, it is now crucial that we…
While data generated by National Statistical Organisations (NSOs) and corporations has long been the focus of attention, there’s a growing recognition of the significance of Citizen Generated Data (CGD). CGD is data produced at the grassroots level by individuals, often through their daily activities and interactions. Through CGD citizens are not just data subjects but…
In 2015, we did some work to try and see what citizens care about enough to act and be engaged with the government. We had a simple goal – to stimulate active citizenship and foster responsive government using data to aid communities to provide input into government activities. This project showed us that citizens cared…
It is very easy for us to hear about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and think this is just another discovery in the world of technology that has nothing to do with us. We don’t mean to burst your bubble but, you are already using AI as you read this. AI is slowly but surely becoming a…
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,…
Most of us, if not all, have had someone politely call or message them asking for MPesa Refunds which often sound like, “Nancy, nimekutumia 5K kwa MPesa by mistake, naomba unirudishie.” (Nancy, I have erroneously sent you Kes. 5,000, kindly send it back) or “ Niko na mtoto hospitalini, ameumwa na nyoka. Please nitumie pesa…
We are proud to work with KNBS as they lead the Technical Working Group on Citizen-Generated Data. The Open Institute is proud to have played a role in Kenya’s progress in institutionalizing Citizen-Generated Data as part of the National Statistical System (NSS). Since 2015, the Open Institute has worked with communities in Nakuru North sub-county,…
