Turning Data Into Impact: Three Months of the Global Data Barometer’s Second Edition
Three months after releasing the second edition of the Global Data Barometer (GDB), we can already see how evidence travels, sparks dialogue, and informs action. This reflection highlights how the Barometer reached diverse audiences, turned engagement into real action, and built new communities of practice that advance accountability worldwide.
From the outset, our goal was to ensure findings did not remain static but moved into the hands of those who could use them. Through our website, LinkedIn, and blogs, GDB communications reached over 50,000 people across the globe in just a few months. We complemented this outreach with targeted presentations to different audiences and one-on-one conversations with governments, ensuring that results were not only shared broadly but also contextualized for those who can act on them.
One of the clearest signs of impact is use of the data itself. In just three months, more than 1,900 people downloaded the GDB dataset, a strong signal of demand among researchers, journalists, and practitioners. To take this engagement further, we launched the Global Data Barometer Data Visualization Challenge, which invited participants to turn raw data into compelling visual stories. The challenge demonstrated how open data can inspire creativity, reveal new perspectives, and make complex findings more accessible to wider audiences.
Equally important has been listening, adapting, and learning from the community. Feedback poured in from stakeholders, practitioners, and policy enthusiasts, enriching our perspectives and shaping priorities for future editions. A highlight of this exchange was “The State of Open Data for Accountability in Africa” webinar, co-organized with the African Institute for Development Policy. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, civil society, and development partners to reflect on how data can strengthen governance in Africa. We also entered into organic conversations with multiple government actors. These exchanges, rooted in curiosity and mutual interest, have opened fertile ground for future initiatives grounded in trust and transparency.
As the second edition continues to unfold, we invite you to explore and use the open dataset, share your reflections, and consider partnering with us to co-host events or amplify outreach.
Together, we can ensure that the Global Data Barometer does more than measure progress—it fuels it.
What our partners are saying
“The Global Data Barometer is the most granular cross-country dataset on issues like political integrity — giving details you won’t find elsewhere.” Renzo Falla (Open Government Partnership)
“The Global Data Barometer provides robust comparative data, alongside the Africa Integrity Indicators. Together, these insights help us better prioritize where & how to support countries.” Christine Wachira (Open Ownership)