[Per ePSI Platform] Open Data in Italy - some interesting signals of augmented government

02 lug 2013 in ePSI Platform

Open Data in Italy has a lot to tell about some stories characterised by a really interesting bottom-up approach.
I like the idea that we should innovate without permission, as David Osimo said some time ago and many other experts agreed. “ We can make an augmented government with the right tools“.

Here are some notes on what’s happening in Italy around these topics.

Working Groups to help municipalities going through Open Data

There is a news on epsiplatform about Alessandria and its initiative related to a multi-stakeholders approach to Open Data. Alessandria is a municipality which has a default: it’s interesting how trasparency and re-use of data will help a better governance.

This isn’t a novelty: Florence had opened Open Data supported by Wikitalia, standing on the shoulders of its communities. We, as a community, can be a sort of “push” actors, and supporters against those who don’t understand the value of these actions inside the government and the administration.

There is also the case of Palermo, who has been publishing Open Data since the 23rd of February (which was the International Open Data Day). Palermo is working to make Open Data an ongoing process, and not only an event fixed during the time. A process which will involve all interested stakeholders who live in the city.

This is the reaction to another action, a blog post written by Andrea Borruso on the quality of the data released, and on the overall process. A post where Andrea made a new dataset from the data released, helping the municipality to think about the value of the quality of the data. This post was shared with the community of Spaghetti Open Data, and gained a lot of attention. The municipality, after a public meeting on this topic, has started a working group to make the overall approach to Open Data a better one. Palermo now wants to make more Open Data, with more attention on the quality of the data, and with a shared strategy with the community.

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[Per ePSI Platform] Interview with Gianluigi Cogo, Digital Agenda and Homer Project in Veneto

28 mag 2013 in ePSI Platform

Veneto region is where I live, and I love it. This region is working on its local Digital Agenda, and on some guidelines supported by a task force of experts. I had an interview with Gianluigi Cogo, who is the Program Manager of eGovernment Office at the regional government of Veneto, to speak about Digital Agenda and our region’s related policies.

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(_ Q stands for the question, and A for the answer _)

Q:What is Veneto doing about both the Italian and the European Digital Agendas?

A: Veneto is implementing a strategic document, called “Guidelines for Digital Agenda of Veneto”. This document explains themes, subjects, methods and concrete actions to realize digital standards to the full. The process we are building consists of 3 steps: asking for advice to stakeholders, asking for advice to local communities and realizing long-term projects (thanks to the EU structural funds).

Q: Are data reuse and practice reuse heart-felt themes? What do you think is the perception of these topics in Veneto?

A: These are cornerstones of Digital Agenda. We think that data promotes both transparency of the public sector and new digital jobs and savings. We are referring to what is commonly called “data as service”. Open data will soon be a strong base for valuable services and applications. Thanks to that, new business opportunities will be available.

Q: In 2012, Veneto published dati.veneto.it. What kind of feedback did it receive?

A: Currently, we are collecting existing datasets. We are, also, making known the web platform. There weren’t big problems or oppositions. Now, the goal is to apply metadata to reach Linked Open Data standards.

Q: Which kind of problems did it face?

A:The main problem, with dati.veneto.it, was the lack of knowledge. We overcame this situation with both meetings and seminars. I’d like to underline the fact that, in Veneto, public policies and public managers had recognized very quickly the inner potential of Open Data.

Q: What reactions do businesses have about reuse?

A: I don’t have any indicators about it yet. The work with Veneto’s companies will start after summer. Currently, we are focusing on collecting data.

Q: Many associations and citizen’s initiatives are currently starting and growing to support digital culture, both locally and nationally. What do you think about it?

A: That’s great! Everyone can do something, but it’s not enough. I have always spent a lot of time and energies to support a massive mainstream action. During 1960s, Alberto Manzi taught to million of Italians how to write and how to read. Nowadays, we need a someone like him: a tv-anchor that teaches us how to use internet and how to make headways.

Read more on the full article published on epsiplatform.eu.

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Open Data in Italy, article on Nodalities issue 14 ( the last one )

14 lug 2011 in Open Data

During April I’ve written an article for Nodalities ( the magazine on semantic web and linked data made by Talis Corporation ), the topic was the story of Open Data movement in Italy and how we are looking for more support from international context. We were worried about “Save the Data Campaign”. Here the article:

**[Open Data in Italy - Nodalities Issue 14](http://www.slideshare.net/dagoneye/open-data-in-italy-nodalities-issue-14 "Open Data in Italy - Nodalities Issue 14")**

View more [documents](http://www.slideshare.net/) from [Matteo Brunati](http://www.slideshare.net/dagoneye)

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