Data-driven advocacy: strengthening CSOs access to public data
Transparency International Lithuanian Chapter ·Lithuania
About this project
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif">Problem:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"> CSOs currently do not have free full access to public data in state registers, such as the company register maintained by the Center of Registers. This is the case despite CSOs acting in public interest, participating in decision-making processes, submitting proposals to state institutions, and sharing their research and recommendations publicly for free. The EU Court of Justice has ruled that both journalists and CSOs have a legitimate interest in free access to such data.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif">Solution:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"> Create a CSO advocacy coalition to develop a regulatory model outlining the eligibility of CSOs for data access, purposes, criteria, and submit it to national authorities while sharing relevant information publicly.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif">Planned results:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"> (1) stronger evidence-based advocacy by TI Lithuania and other CSOs, involving the monitoring of public sector institutions using primary data; (2) more active defense of the public interest; (3) created conditions for more active participation of citizens in civic activities.</span></span></p>