Citizen data – data collected through the initiative and with the participation of citizens – has become a pivotal strategy to understand and address the needs of marginalized communities. In a virtual session, co-hosted by the UN Collaborative on Citizen Data and the International Leave No One Behind Partnership, practitioners shared experiences in engaging community members in data collection and use.

Peter Koblowsky, International Civil Society Centre, described the UN Collaborative on Citizen Data as a space to share knowledge and experiences with a view to establish a whole-of-society approach to data. He said the Copenhagen Framework on Citizen Data, released by the Collaborative in 2024, is a conceptual framework containing principles and elements of an enabling framework for the coordination, production, and use of citizen data at national level. He added that, according to the Framework, citizens must either initiate data production or at least participate in the design and data collection phases of the data value chain for the data to qualify as citizen data.

Annie Namala, Wada Na Todo Abhijan, said citizen data fills important gaps regarding factors of marginalization such as caste, tribe, religion, or disability, noting local data provide evidence to improve the realization of rights, empower participation, and enhance access to services. She explained that engagement requires listening to community members and building long-term relationships to ensure data flows back and enables action to improve community members’ lives. Engaging local administrations and decision makers remains a challenge that, according to Namala, can be overcome by building leadership among communities and increasing collaboration with national statistics offices (NSOs).

Shikha Shrestha, Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) Nepal, focused on the role of volunteers who lead the design, engagement, and data collection in efforts to track SDG implementation with citizens in Nepal. Underlining the importance of “being useful” to the community, she said volunteers ensure data is actionable by fostering local ownership and empowerment, safeguarding data coverage and inclusivity, and strengthening interactions with and accountability of duty bearers.

Florence Syevuo, SDG Kenya Forum, described the evolving relationship between civil society and Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics, including a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that recognizes citizen data, and a Quality Assurance Framework allowing non-state actors to produce high-quality data that supports citizen voices in decision making. On engagement, she highlighted the importance of smartphones to produce and deliver real-time data, community SDG dialogues, and “local vernacular stations” where citizens can engage in their local language.

Responding to a question on gaining support from government departments, Namala said the global debate on citizen data and positive experiences fostered broader recognition in India. Shrestha recommended focusing on positive outcomes rather than confrontational advocacy.

Closing the session, Koblowsky encouraged participants to share experiences to be included in a global guidance document on engaging citizens in data collection to be developed by the UN Collaborative later in 2025. [What Does Citizen Engagement Mean?] [SDG Knowledge Hub Sources]