Days ago, the mayor of Concordia, Francisco Azcué, led the launch of the Open Data Portal of the Municipality of Concordia, highlighting the importance of this tool to promote government transparency, encourage citizen participation, and modernize public management.
“The launch of the Open Data Portal marks a turning point for Concordia. We are building a more open, transparent, and participatory government. This tool not only improves our management but also strengthens the bond with our residents. We will continue working so that Concordia is a model in transparency and modernization policies,” stated the Mayor.
In this context, Mg. Lic. Leandro Garbarino, Undersecretary of the Special Unit for Strategic Projects (UEPE), and Eng. Ignacio Terenzano, Director of Strategic Planning and Financing, explained the details and scope of this innovative project.
Regarding the type of information available on the Open Data Portal, Garbarino pointed out that, first of all, “it is important to contextualize the project. This initiative strengthens institutional capacities with the goal of increasing transparency, fostering accountability, and promoting alliances with local organizations to solve local problems. Furthermore, it seeks to empower citizens in public decision-making processes, thus contributing to the legitimacy of the local government.”
The Portal will allow different municipal areas to share data in an agile and digital manner, generating useful information for both the public and various organizations. “Open data is data that anyone can freely access, use, and share. We are talking about data in downloadable formats, such as spreadsheets or geographic formats for map viewers. This enables new analyses and the creation of indicators, which can be used by territorial actors beyond the municipality,” he remarked.
Currently, the portal already contains information such as data on technological training offered by the Directorate of Innovation and Knowledge Economy (DIEC). For example, “any company interested in identifying talent trained in a specific area can consult this data and contact the DIEC. This approach can be replicated for other municipal services,” Garbarino noted.
In addition, the municipal “2024 Management Report” will be available shortly. It includes information on implemented policies, budget execution, progress on strategic projects, and other key indicators of municipal management, promoting transparency and access to public information.
For his part, Terenzano added that “our mission is to position Concordia as a benchmark in the efficient management of open public data. From the UEPE, we will provide technical assistance to municipal areas to generate data production methodologies and build strategic indicators that add value to local development.”
ACTIVE PORTAL
This project began at the beginning of this year, with the first contacts with the Open and Digital Country Foundation (PAD). The initial milestone was in March, when an agreement was signed to implement the portal within the framework of the “Towards a participatory government” program, co-financed by the European Union. For this reason, the launch day was attended by Andrés Ibarra, president of the Open and Digital Country Foundation (PAD) and former Minister of Modernization of the Nation.
“Between April and June, a municipal team participated in training organized by the School of Government of the Austral University. This instance sought to conceptually align the municipality, promote innovative governance tools, and strengthen citizen participation. This entire process was financed by the program, while the municipality provided the human talent for its implementation,” explained Garbarino.
With the official launch on December 18, the portal is now available and functional at datos.concordia.gob.ar
DEVELOPMENT
For his part, Terenzano explained how the development of the tool was carried out, indicating that “the portal uses CKAN, an open-source platform developed by the Open Knowledge Foundation. Although the software was developed externally, municipal staff played a key role in the implementation, with the support of the PAD Foundation.”
The Directorate of Informatics created the server where the platform operates, and the UEPE worked on structuring and presenting the data. “Several municipal areas actively participated in the production and uploading of datasets. Now the challenge is to expand the available data and generate conversations with local organizations to identify new needs. To facilitate this stage, from the UEPE we will present a protocol and regulations that systematize the production and publication of data within the municipal structure.”
“The launch of the Open Data Portal marks a turning point for Concordia. We are building a more open, transparent, and participatory government. This tool not only improves our management but also strengthens the bond with our residents. We will continue working so that Concordia is a model in transparency and modernization policies,” stated the Mayor.
In this context, Mg. Lic. Leandro Garbarino, Undersecretary of the Special Unit for Strategic Projects (UEPE), and Eng. Ignacio Terenzano, Director of Strategic Planning and Financing, explained the details and scope of this innovative project.
Regarding the type of information available on the Open Data Portal, Garbarino pointed out that, first of all, “it is important to contextualize the project. This initiative strengthens institutional capacities with the goal of increasing transparency, fostering accountability, and promoting alliances with local organizations to solve local problems. Furthermore, it seeks to empower citizens in public decision-making processes, thus contributing to the legitimacy of the local government.”
The Portal will allow different municipal areas to share data in an agile and digital manner, generating useful information for both the public and various organizations. “Open data is data that anyone can freely access, use, and share. We are talking about data in downloadable formats, such as spreadsheets or geographic formats for map viewers. This enables new analyses and the creation of indicators, which can be used by territorial actors beyond the municipality,” he remarked.
Currently, the portal already contains information such as data on technological training offered by the Directorate of Innovation and Knowledge Economy (DIEC). For example, “any company interested in identifying talent trained in a specific area can consult this data and contact the DIEC. This approach can be replicated for other municipal services,” Garbarino noted.
In addition, the municipal “2024 Management Report” will be available shortly. It includes information on implemented policies, budget execution, progress on strategic projects, and other key indicators of municipal management, promoting transparency and access to public information.
For his part, Terenzano added that “our mission is to position Concordia as a benchmark in the efficient management of open public data. From the UEPE, we will provide technical assistance to municipal areas to generate data production methodologies and build strategic indicators that add value to local development.”
ACTIVE PORTAL
This project began at the beginning of this year, with the first contacts with the Open and Digital Country Foundation (PAD). The initial milestone was in March, when an agreement was signed to implement the portal within the framework of the “Towards a participatory government” program, co-financed by the European Union. For this reason, the launch day was attended by Andrés Ibarra, president of the Open and Digital Country Foundation (PAD) and former Minister of Modernization of the Nation.
“Between April and June, a municipal team participated in training organized by the School of Government of the Austral University. This instance sought to conceptually align the municipality, promote innovative governance tools, and strengthen citizen participation. This entire process was financed by the program, while the municipality provided the human talent for its implementation,” explained Garbarino.
With the official launch on December 18, the portal is now available and functional at datos.concordia.gob.ar
DEVELOPMENT
For his part, Terenzano explained how the development of the tool was carried out, indicating that “the portal uses CKAN, an open-source platform developed by the Open Knowledge Foundation. Although the software was developed externally, municipal staff played a key role in the implementation, with the support of the PAD Foundation.”
The Directorate of Informatics created the server where the platform operates, and the UEPE worked on structuring and presenting the data. “Several municipal areas actively participated in the production and uploading of datasets. Now the challenge is to expand the available data and generate conversations with local organizations to identify new needs. To facilitate this stage, from the UEPE we will present a protocol and regulations that systematize the production and publication of data within the municipal structure.”