Citizen data, collected with active citizen participation, has become a key tool in addressing the needs of marginalized communities. Practitioners shared experiences in engaging community members in data collection and data use in a virtual session. The session was jointly organized by the UN Collaborative on Citizen Data and the International Leave No One Behind Partnership.
The UN Collaborative on Citizen Data shared its Copenhagen Framework, emphasizing that citizens must either initiate data production or at least participate in the design and data collection phases of the data value chain for the data to qualify as citizen data. Practitioners highlighted how citizen data fills gaps related to marginalization, empowers communities, and improves access to services, with volunteers and local leadership playing critical roles. The session also discussed strategies for engaging with local administrations and governments, focusing on positive outcomes and collaboration for effectively using citizen data.
