Julieta Zurbrigg, Civic Space Research Advisor
Faith Pienaar, Impact and Accountability Officer
In the dynamic realm of data innovation, global challenges call for timely and impactful solutions. With this in mind, CIVICUS recently participated in the Festival de Datos - a global convening organized by the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD). We joined over 400 individuals from 50+ countries to celebrate data ideas and actions that advance the well-being of people and the planet.
The urgency for rapid technological innovations in data collection, access, and utilization has never been more critical, particularly as we strive to meet the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, the data revolution brings forth fundamental tensions around power, privacy, and participation. In response to these challenges, Festival de Datos strengthens data communities and enhances collective ability to unlock the value of data for all.
An Early Warning System to combat the deterioration of civic spaces and catalyse positive change
At the festival, CIVICUS facilitated an ‘Ideas Lab’ for the session From Reaction to Prevention: A Data-driven Approach to Civic Space Conditions. The purpose of our ‘Lab’ was twofold: first, to generate broader awareness about restrictions to civic space and the CIVICUS Monitor methodology, and second, to solicit feedback on an upcoming Early Warning System (EWS) initiative to enable proactive responses to emergent civic space threats and initiate preventive advocacy strategies. The upcoming EWS is framed under a European Union project where CIVICUS will lead the development of the tool’s methodology.
The festival’s diverse participation from fellow data experts working across civil society, the private sector, and governments provided an excellent platform for us to test our assumptions and thinking on how an EWS might work in practice. Overall, the session was well-received and affirmed the value of CIVICUS's contributions in providing essential research and analysis to influence the discourse on civic space challenges and inform local and international advocacy efforts.
Our session surfaced the following feedback and considerations in developing an EWS:
- How can we amplify existing informal warning systems driven by local civil society? As we’ve learned through our work with research partners contributing to the CIVICUS Monitor, the success of an EWS is largely dependent upon the strength of national and subnational networks to highlight threats to civil society.
- As those working to protect and advance civic space become increasingly under threat, how can we ensure effective protection and care for potential EWS contributors and their constituents?
- And, how can we leverage open-sourced technology solutions (machine learning and sequential data) to gather information for further validation by local and regional organizations?
We thank the participants for engaging with the initial thinking on an EWS for and by civil society. As we prepare to implement this initiative, we look forward to engaging with our members and broader partners to continue refining and iterating this tool. A powerful idea at the core of our engagement is to complement and build upon existing efforts, generating more nuanced knowledge. By strategically focusing our resources and efforts, CIVICUS aims to fill critical data gaps where they are most needed.
As we reflect on our participation in this remarkable convening, we express our gratitude and enthusiasm to the GPSDD for the opportunity to engage with a broader community dedicated to leveraging data for positive change.
We hold close this perspective shared by Bronwen Robertson, Co-Founder of Data4Change echoed in the ambition and directive of our strategy:
“Data isn’t just numbers- it's narratives that are deeply connected to real people and communities who are often excluded from data processes that impact them. We want to shift the balance of data power back to the hands of those most affected by extractive practices.”
