Twinning open data operational
The project ""Twinning Open Data Operational"" (TODO) aims to leverage the interdisciplinary scientific excellence and innovation capacity of the University of Zagreb (UNIZG) in the field of open data to boost the supply and use of open government data in Croatia and beyond. Open data initiatives have resulted in greater availability of data, thereby realising ambitions such as improved efficiency and effectiveness of public services, increased transparency, accountability and citizen participation, and economic and social value creation. Open data research is a crucial component in creating and accelerating sustainable and innovative open data ecosystems. However, open data and open data research in Croatia are still in its infancy. With the support of key organizations in the Croatian open data ecosystem and esteemed national and international experts, TODO will enhance the research capacity and research excellence in open data research of UNIZG and its staff through the partnership with two leading universities in the open data domain, University of the Aegean (UAEGEAN) and Delft University of Technology (TUDELFT). TODO will develop and implement an interdisciplinary multi-domain open data research approach to increase the maturity of the concept and impact of the open data ecosystem in Croatia and beyond. The activities directed at training, knowledge exchange, collaboration, outreach and long-term sustainability should establish an internationally leading open data research ecosystem at the UNIZG. Through research, TODO will explore the gaps between supply and demand of open data and build understanding of an open data ecosystem in Croatia. Participation in existing international networks, together with the newly built scientific excellence and innovation capacity and increased mobility of UNIZG staff, will stimulate success in attracting research and education funding and the establishment of a sustainable academic open data research ecosystem in the UNIZG.