On 31 October, as part of the communication platform Data+, the online event Open Data Talks: NACP took place. A meeting with representatives of the NACP concerning plans and initiatives in the field of open data — a conversation about the future of open data in the sphere of anti-corruption policy.
In recent years, the NACP’s data have become the basis for a large number of journalistic investigations and analytical products. The Agency itself views open data as a key instrument for fulfilment of its mission of preventing corruption.
Within the event Open Data Talks the following were discussed:
- the mission and tasks of the NACP in the sphere of open data;
- the Agency’s initiative to publish datasets on the Unified State Open Data Web Portal;
- future plans to improve users’ access to NACP datasets;
- key challenges in working with open data and the importance of feedback from users.
“Development of the open data sphere is possible only through cooperation — when data-holders and the user community act in synergy. The task of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine is to be a mediator in that interaction. The NACP’s data have particular significance for anti-corruption policy and the creation of new services. Therefore, for a data-holder it is important to hear users’ requests and take them into account in further work. It was exactly such a constructive conversation that today we succeeded in launching during the meeting,” commented Yanina Liubyva, Head of the Expert Group for Development of the Open Data Sphere at the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
The publication of NACP datasets on the Unified State Open Data Web Portal began concurrently with the adoption of Resolution No 835 in 2015. However, it was only after the adoption of a separate order in 2020 that the procedure for working with data and the list of datasets was approved.
“I would like to thank the NACP for the courage and responsibility — for opening the Register of Declarations and the Register of Corrupt Officials, which the RISE Ukraine coalition emphasised. Many data-holders today search for the balance between security and openness of data, and the NACP demonstrates that such a balance is possible. Their example of removing data of military personnel and certain other categories is a well-considered decision which is worth scaling. At the same time, the fact that in Resolution 835 seven additional datasets were added to the NACP’s obligations attests to a very positive trend in disclosure of priority datasets,” noted Oleksii Dorohan, CEO of BRDO.
NACP’s plans in the work with open data:
- Transition from static information on the website to providing data in machine-readable formats; in particular, soon the section “Activity Results” on the NACP website will have the possibility to download data in machine-readable format.
- Preparation of detailed, user-friendly documentation on the API of the Register of Declarations in 2026, to assist analysts avoid incorrect conclusions due to misunderstanding of data.
- Improvement and expansion of the API of the Register of Declarations. At this stage temporarily paused due to the need for additional resource mobilisation.
“We regard open data as the ‘fuel’ for building transparent and integrity-based processes, and civil society, journalists and analysts as the ‘engine’. For that engine to work efficiently, we must provide quality data. In the near future we will focus on publishing data in machine-readable format and preparing detailed documentation for the API of the Register of Declarations. This will help make working with data more understandable. At the same time it is important for us to hear users — their requests, suggestions and experience with our datasets. It is this feedback that helps improve data quality and develop the openness direction,” emphasised Mykhailo Mykhailovskyi, Head of the Office for Digital Transformation and Innovative Development at the NACP.
Also, during the event there was a discussion between open-data experts and speakers — representatives of the NACP and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. The discussion concerned access to Agency datasets, opening of registers and plans for further disclosure of information. The discussion was constructive and important for the data-holder, as it enabled gathering feedback from data users.
A video recording of the meeting is available on the YouTube channel of BRDO.
This event was prepared under the project “Effective monitoring of Open Data policy compliance”, implemented by the Better Regulation Delivery Office BRDO, with the support of the Open Government Partnership through the EU for Integrity Programme for the Eastern Partnership, funded by the European Union. The content of the discussion is the responsibility of the speakers and does not necessarily reflect the position of BRDO, OGP or the EU.