In today’s interconnected world, reliable and timely data has the power to drive human-centred innovation and prosperity. Quality data promotes transparency and accountability in public governance and enables people to fully participate in the digital age.  

UNDP helps countries to maximize the value of data by facilitating access to data, enabling the sharing of data and increasing the use of data to inform decision-making and deliver responsible and responsive public services at scale. 

Data Governance and Data-Sharing
 

UNDP works with countries to design and implement robust data strategies, data policies and data frameworks to ensure responsible handling of data and support data-sharing within government and across sectors. 

1. We develop data Governance frameworks

Effective data governance ensures trust, data security and impact. UNDP offers support with the following tools:

• A rapid needs assessment: This assessment is based on multistakeholder workshops and evaluates the current state of data governance while identifying gaps and opportunities. It also draws on the outcomes of a desk review, which analyses a country’s legislative, policy and infrastructure landscape.
• Implementation guidance: Following the needs assessment, a recommendation report is produced, which provides detailed guidelines tailored to a country’s specific context. This includes clear action points and practical initiatives designed for immediate implementation. See an example: Read how UNDP partnered with the Government of Türkiye to create a recommendation report in preparation for the country’s national data strategy.
• The Data Governance Toolkit: Launched at the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva, the ‘Data Governance Toolkit: Navigating Data in the Digital Age’ helps guide policymakers through the complexities of designing data governance frameworks the digital age. Co-developed by the Broadband Commission Working Group, led by UNESCO, UNDP, ITU & the African Union Commission, the Toolkit provides a practical, rights-based roadmap for governments, institutions, and stakeholders to make data work for everyone.
• UNDP Governance Framework for Data Exchange System: The Framework builds on the principles of the DPI Safeguards. It is designed to help countries ensure that their data flows are fair, rights based, and resilient - functioning as a true public good. Watch more here.

2. We design data strategies and data projects

Well-designed data-based strategies and initiatives enable governments to leverage data for the public benefit. Examples include:

• Using citizen-generated data to address development challenges. Read about a use case in Kenya
• Conducting gender data analysis to identify gender biases. Discover the work of the Gender Data Lab around the world  
• Using geospatial data for urban planning. Learn from a project in Moldova  

3. We provide data governance training

The UNDP Digital, AI & Innovation Hub offers online and in-person training courses on data governance for government officials and their partners:

• Self-paced online course on data governance basics: This self-paced online course for public sector professionals highlights the importance of data governance in data ecosystems. It covers the key components of data governance and its role in advancing AI and digital public infrastructure (DPI). This is a free course, ideal for those with little to no prior knowledge of data governance. The course has been developed in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with support from the EU’s Global Gateway.

Testimonials from course participants working in the public sector: