Table of contents
Mission
opendata.swiss is the Swiss public administration’s central portal for open government data (OGD). opendata.swiss is a catalogue of metadata. In other words, the open government data is hosted by the data providers and a standardised description (metadata) of the dataset and its distribution# is published on opendata.swiss along with a link to the data.
The opendata.swiss portal provides straightforward, centralised access to government data issued by the Swiss Confederation, cantons, communes and other organisations. Where justified by public interest, the site also includes third-party data. Such providers include state-related enterprises and private sector entities that carry out mandates on behalf of the Swiss Confederation, the cantons or the communes.
opendata.swiss’s mission is to promote transparency, innovation and public engagement by granting free access to Swiss government data.
The OGD Office
The OGD Office, part of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), oversees the masterplan, centralises the information on the OGD, coordinates measures and facilitates the sharing of best practice.
It bolsters collaboration with the federal, cantonal and communal authorities, academia and civil society. At the same time, it builds partnerships and supports joint initiatives in the DACHLI (Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein) region, while promoting international cooperation to achieve a positive, lasting impact.
Its missions :
- To manage and develop the swiss portal and its user handbook
- To strengthen data literacy in Switzerland by organising certified continuing education courses
- To offer technical and methodological support to administrative entities to encourage openness and sharing in relation to their data
- To perform the role of national centre of competence for open government data
- To promote an open government data culture in Switzerland, in keeping with the “open by default” principle (Art. 10, Federal Act on the Use of Electronic Means to Carry Out Official Tasks, EMOTA)
- To bring together Swiss and international stakeholders by means of a multimodal editorial calendar (blog, events, participation in conferences, newsletters, etc.)
Partner organisations and metadata ecosystem
The OGD Office enjoys the support of a wide-ranging network of partner organisations that contribute to the management, development and promotion of the opendata.swiss portal.
- opendata.ch: Association that brings together many users of open government data. It organises regular hackathons, workshops and other events aimed at fostering innovation and knowledge sharing within the community.
- Digital Public Services Switzerland: A key player in the coordination and promotion of the digital transformation within Swiss public administrations.
- Geocat.ch: National catalogue of metadata for all Swiss geodata. Geocat facilitates the publication and searchability of open data in the field of geoinformation.
- Open Data Beer: An initiative that arranges regular, free get-togethers for data providers and users to promote networking and experience sharing.
- Zazuko GmbH: An expert in open data and web semantics technology that contributes to the development of tools and standards for the management of metadata.
- Liip SA: Company specialising in the development of digital solutions, supporting the project through its technical expertise.
- Institut Fraunhofer: A prestigious research institute involved in innovative projects relating to open data.
- LINDAS (Linked Data Service) et les Swiss Federal Archives: LINDAS is a platform supported by the Swiss federal administrations that facilitates the publication and management of linked data, thus contributing to the interoperability and quality of the public metadata.
- And of course all the organisations that publish on opendata.swiss!
Find out more
- OGD strategies: The Confederation’s strategic framework for open government data
- OGD Office: Your first port of call in relation to open government data in Switzerland
- What is the difference between the OGD Office, the FSO and the opendata.swiss portal?
- Publication handbook: Detailed guide for data providers and users
- Contact: For all queries about publishing or using data
Join our lively community
Sign up for our newsletter, read our latest articles or follow us on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube)!
