Publishing open data Making data more accessible, usable and timely Usable, accessible and up-to-date data that is routinely published by government agencies and extractive companies is gradually replacing retrospective reporting and can help inform more timely decision-making, analysis and public debate. By publishing open data, multi-stakeholder groups can shift their role from producing reports to using and analysing data and disseminating key findings. To support this shift, the EITI is developing a data strategy that responds to the needs of diverse stakeholders. The strategy envisions stronger support for countries to report data through government and company platforms in open format, and to use the data collected to inform debate and dialogue. These objectives are underpinned by the EITI Open data policy. Open data strategy The EITI’s data strategy intends to promote a digital transformation of the EITI over the coming six years. It has three objectives: first, to accelerate the generation of timely, systematic disclosures at source; second, to improve the quality, availability and accessibility of structured open data in ways that meet the needs of key audiences; and finally, to catalyse the use of EITI disclosures for strategic purposes. These objectives aim to shift the focus from generating data to supporting more impactful EITI implementation by making EITI data more accessible and useful. When data is published in open format, it can be visualised and analysed. This type of data analysis can inform decisions, identify corruption risks and build knowledge about the extractive sector, such as who the main recipients of revenues are. In doing so, implementing countries and other key audiences can leverage data to make the EITI’s outcomes and impacts stronger and more tangible. PHOTO CREDIT: GHANA EITI Stakeholders discuss opportunities and challenges around accessing data at an Opening Extractives workshop in Ghana. 50 EITI Anniversary Report