Commitment: Improving the open data collection and publishing process in Kutaisi Municipality
Commitment Description: Access to information and open data are among the most essential cornerstones of e-democracy, as well as democracy in general. The development of the internet and innovative technologies has played an important role in ensuring the openness of governments and transparency of their activities. Innovative applications and platforms provided citizens with the leverage for participating in decision-making, share ideas with the general public, and actively engage in the monitoring of their implementation. Outcome: Open Data Action Plan (2019-2020) and Monitoring Framework have been developed and approved by the Municipality Assembly
Timeline: Start date - October 2018, End date - June 2019
OGP Thematic Areas: Transparency, Accountability, Engagement
Reporting Period: 2019, Annual
Lead Agency: Kutaisi Municipality Ciity Hall
With the support of the UNDP, Kutaisi Municipality has elaborated and approved the Anti-corruption Strategy and Action Plan, integrating a proactive disclosure of open data as one of the key components. However, a major challenge faced by the municipality was a shortage of capacity for collecting open data and processing it in relevant formats (XML, CSV).

Given this, Kutaisi Municipality set a goal of developing the Open Data Action Plan within the framework of OGP Georgia National Action Plan for 2018-2019.

At the initial stage, the situational analysis was conducted on open data collection, processing, and publication in close collaboration with the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI). The elaborated analytical document includes recommendations designed to improve the current situation.

Kutaisi City Hall has elaborated the initial drafts of the Open Data Strategy and Action Plan (2019-2020) in close cooperation with the IDFI, the public discussions thereof were held on 13 September 2019. Representatives of local organizations, media, academia, businesses, and Kutaisi City Hall participated in the discussion. Kutaisi Municipality approved the Strategy and the Action Plan on 3 January 2020.

IDFI conducted trainings on open data issues for relevant employees of the City Hall, including heads of municipal services (10 participants) and employees working on the data (19 participants).