Author: Jena Siwakoti
Concept
Open Government Data Initiative is a policy introduced by the international government through which the public sector data is made freely available to its citizens, researchers, businessmen and institutions. This government initiative aims to promote transparency, efficiency, effectiveness and accountability which falls under the features of good governance. The convergence of big data and digital governance is revolutionizing how governments address public problems. It can foster transparency, improve decision-making and enable targeted actions that benefit both the government and its citizens. This digital transformation is redefining the very essence of governance, offering the potential to create administrative processes that are more efficient, responsive and citizen-centric ( Reddy,2024).
There are two main civil society movements that are campaigning for greater openness of information documents and datasets held by public bodies. The first is the “Right to Information” movement, which promotes a public right of access to information from a human rights perspective. The second is the “Open Government Data” movement, which uses predominantly social and economic arguments to encourage the opening up of government data. The latter claims that putting such information into the public domain can benefit society by creating conditions for more social inclusive service delivery and for more participatory democracy. They also argue that it can stimulate the economy by allowing the possibilities of the third party to create new products and services using public data (-Ubaldi B, 2013). The Open Data Initiative allows citizens to have access to government information which facilitates the public oversight over government actions. As a watchdog, citizens can check the finances, policies, plans and government actions closely. Open data initiative fosters public participation where citizens can report the issues through digital platforms. This brings a shift into democratic data governance, while strengthening public engagement.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), open government is “a culture of governance that promotes the principles of transparency, integrity, accountability and stakeholders participation in support of democracy and inclusive growth”. The OECD further explains that Open Government Data (OGD) is a part of open government where government-held data is made available for anyone to freely use, reuse, and redistribute without unnecessary restrictions. (OECD, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, 2021).
Relationship between OGDI and Democratic Governance
OGDI is increasingly vital in expanding the concept of open government by emphasizing transparency, accountability and active citizen participation. The OGDI bolsters democratic governance by operationalizing the principle of openness; fostering the inclusive participation and stakeholder’s access to information. When the data is freely accessible and digitally available, OGDI transforms that raw information into a tool for citizen’s empowerment.The concept of ODGI aligns with the fundamental right of people. (Right to information) enshrined under Constitution of Nepal, 2015. OGDI fuels participation through apps for issue reporting, policy feedback and embodying digital democracy. Citizens co-create solutions, enhancing legitimacy and inclusivity in governance processes. OGDI ensures data as a public good, bridging institutional gaps and amplifying voices in underserved areas. Building public trust in government institutions involves fostering confidence that officials act competently, and in the public’s interest. Governments build trust through consistent transparency, such as openly sharing budgets and decisions via open data portals like those in OGDI. This allows citizens to verify public actions, promote transparency and as a result, reduce perceptions of corruption.
At present, Nepal has made significant efforts in e-governance through digitalized service delivery, introducing new policies and guidelines. For instance Nepal’s political leadership has also repeatedly acknowledged the need for digital transformation via integrating e-governance and paperless technologies (Online Khabar, 2025). It reflects Nepal is gradually shifting towards e-governance however, the Open Government Data Initiative has not started in Nepal. Our neighbouring country India has adopted an Open Government Data Initiative. In today’s digital landscape, data is not just a by-product of governance, it is an asset that can drive transparency and innovation in governance structure. Recognising this, the Government of India launched the Open Government Data (OGD) Platform in 2012, under the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP). It was developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), OGD, which aimed to make non-sensitive government data publicly available for stakeholders of society (Lathiya, 2025).
Benefits of Open Government Data Initiative in Nepal
- Promoting Transparency: One of the major objectives of Open Government Data is transparency. When government information is made publicly available, citizens can better understand how public resources are allocated and utilized. For example, if government procurement data relating to infrastructure projects is made publicly available, citizens, journalists, and watchdog organizations can monitor whether public funds are being spent efficiently. It will promote democratic decision making within the governance system.
- Ensuring Active Citizen Participation: Open data promotes participatory governance by enabling informed public engagement which is a cornerstone of democratic governance. Open Government Data empowers citizens to participate actively rather than being passive recipients of government decisions. When information regarding policies, budgets, environmental issues, public projects and development plans is readily available, citizens can engage more meaningfully in public discourse and decision making processes.
- Helps improving public service delivery : Open Government Data can bring significant improvement regarding the quality and efficiency of public services. When government offices publish information about available services, eligibility requirements, and service standards, citizens can access services more easily with less administrative hurdles. In Nepal, digital initiatives are adopted by the government to enhance the use of digital technologies in public administration and service delivery. Open access to government data can complement the government efforts by making public services more accessible, transparent, and citizen-centered. For example: Elgin (UK street works), Roadworks Information Unlimited delivers real-time access to information on road repair and construction for local authorities, motorways and truck routes across England and Wales via websites, navigation systems and mobile devices. Users can view where and when road work is taking place and who is responsible, whereby the citizens can assess transportation impacts (World Bank Group, Open government data toolkit).
- Encouraging Innovation and research : Government agencies collect timely data relating to demographics, health, education, agriculture, transportation, climate and economic development. When such data is openly available, it becomes a resource for innovation, research, and technological development. For example, agricultural data can help develop tools that assist farmers in making informed decisions regarding crop selection and weather conditions.
Challenges of Implementing Open Government Data Initiative in Nepal
- Lack of Access to Digital Infrastructure: There is a digital divide between urban and rural populations in the context of Nepal which prevents many citizens from benefiting equally from open data initiatives. In today’s time the internet usage has increased significantly but access remains uneven, particularly in remote areas. Thus, lack of access to digital infrastructure remains a challenge.
- Low Digital Literacy : Many citizens lack the digital skills which are required to locate and utilize government data. So, the benefits of open data may be concentrated among educated and urban populations limiting broader democratic participation and inclusion.
- Bureaucratic Resistance: Without strong institutional commitment and leadership, open data initiatives often remain underdeveloped. Government agencies may be reluctant to disclose information due to administrative burdens. The absence of effective coordination among ministries and government agencies can result in fragmented data management practices.
- Inconsistency in Data Publication: The effectiveness of open government data depends on the availability of accurate, timely and accessible information. If government data is scattered across different agencies, published in non-machine-readable formats or not updated regularly then open government data initiatives are not fruitful. Outdated or incomplete data reduce the usefulness of open data. Hence, even if the government owns or initiates the system, there always remains a risk of outdated and inconsistent data within.
The Way Forward: Strengthening Open Government Data in Nepal
Open Government Data Initiative potential can be realized when Nepal adopts a comprehensive and coordinated approach regarding the publication of government data. The government should develop a dedicated open data policy along with legal standards and institutional responsibilities. Strengthening data protection and cybersecurity laws is equally important to ensure that transparency does not compromise privacy and security.
Digital literacy programs should be expanded so that citizens can effectively access, understand and use government data. Government agencies should also be required to publish updated data regularly in accessible and machine-readable formats. By addressing these challenges, Nepal can transform open government data from a transparency mechanism into a powerful tool for strengthening democratic governance, public trust and citizen participation.
Conclusion
OGD is often defined as data open to and available in the public domain in various formats that are understandable by both hu-mans and machines (i.e. machine-readable formats such as CSV and XML), and are normally licensed for the public to freely access, use, modify and share. In relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), OGD promotes transparency, accountability and public value creation, and is increasingly seen as data commons and digital public goods. As part of the UN’s effort in tracking the e-government development landscape, OGD was first recognized in the 2012 UN E-Government Survey, highlighting open data as “an increasingly important source of information provided by governments and other entities, presenting opportunities for everyone to freely use, reuse and integrate various data pertaining to sustainable development (Meuleman et al, 2022).
More than a technological advancement, open government data initiative is a vital instrument for strengthening democratic governance. By enhancing transparency, fostering citizen participation, improving public service delivery and promoting accountability, open government data can help bridge the gap between citizens and the state. However, it requires addressing the challenges related to digital infrastructure, digital literacy, data privacy and institutional coordination. As Nepal continues to move towards digital transformation, a commitment to accessible, reliable, and citizen-centric open data practices will be essential for building public trust, encouraging civic engagement and advancing the principles of good governance in the digital age.
References
- Digital Governance and the power of big data: Transforming government in the digital age, January 4, 2024. https://policylab.rutgers.edu/publication/digital-governance-and-the-power-of-big-data-transforming-government-in-the-digital-age/
- Barbara Ubaldi (2013), Open Government Data: Towards Empirical Analysis of Open Government Data Initiatives, OECD Working Papers on Public Governance, No. 22, OECD Publishing, Paris. https://doi.org/10.1787/5k46bj4f03s7-en
- OECD, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia), 6th December 2021. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/the-economic-and-social-impact-of-open-government_6b3e2469-en.html
- https://english.onlinekhabar.com/nepals-e-governance-journey-current-landscape-key-challenges-and-the-road-ahead.html, Nepal’s e-governance journey current landscape key challenges and the road ahead, July 16, 2025.
- https://www.impriindia.com/insights/open-government-data-ogd-2-0-2025/ Parth Lathiya, India’s quiet digital revolution: Open government data
- https://opendatatoolkit.worldbank.org/en/data/opendatatoolkit/home
- Meuleman, Jonas & Kwok, Wai Min & Aquaro, Vincenzo. (2022). Open Government Data for Sustainable Development: Trends, Policies and Assessment: Continuing the Pilot Assessment of the Open Government Data Index (OGDI). 256-265.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1145/3560107.3560149
Author Introduction
Ms. Jena is a fourth-year B.A. LL.B. student at Kathmandu School of Law, where she has chosen Constitutional Law as her elective specialization. She has a strong academic interest in constitutional law, legal research, democratic governance, and public policy. She has presented research papers at academic forums and actively engages in legal writing on contemporary legal and governance issues, demonstrating a commitment to critical legal analysis and scholarly research.