Data serving society: the frontiers of Innovation

In earlier editions of this column, we explored several popular ways of applying data to projects and initiatives that can have a social impact and contribute to the well-being of the community and the world we live in. We discussed data science, open data and data literacy. What makes this topic particularly fascinating is that it is precisely in the realm of the "common good" that data reveals unique and often unexpected opportunities. In this article, we will delve into these lesser-known yet intriguing pathways. If you wish to explore the topic further, we recommend reading this still very relevant article, available here: The role of philanthropy in using data to address complex challenges: A global scan.

Data donation and sharing

We begin our exploration with the concept of data donation: there are several examples of private organisations donating the data collected from their activities, which can then be used in applications for the common good. Significant examples include initiatives like Meta's "Data for Good" or Google's "Social Good".

The concept is straightforward: these companies, which collect vast amounts of data (we will not delve here into the important privacy implications of their data collection activities), make these data available in various ways (through specific requests, only to research institutions, etc.). Consider the immense value of the data collected by companies like Meta or 谷歌 , and how they are already being used in these application areas. Any private or public organisation generates data that can be used for the common good. The real challenge is asking the right questions and finding the relevant data to answer them.

The Data Spaces

Another promising avenue is that of "Data Spaces" which, as the name suggests, are virtual spaces where institutions share their data with chosen partners in a secure environment. This concept is a tangible manifestation of the "Data Economy" strongly promoted by the European Commission ’s Data Governance Act and Data Act. For a clearer understanding of this concept, refer to the examples provided by the European Union portal.

The Enershare example

A practical example of a Data Space is Enershare, where various actors in the energy sector share their data in a secure environment. While it is still difficult to gauge how mature these Data Spaces are (here are other examples: https://internationaldataspaces.org/make/projects/), the general feeling is that we are in an exploratory phase, with the first experiments in data and knowledge sharing.

Data sharing and the philanthropic world

From the point of view of our foundation and the philanthropic world, it is undeniable that data sharing in controlled environments could greatly enhance the effectiveness of interventions in many fields. Consider, for instance, the various non-profit organisations operating in a large city and its surrounding areas, many of which often operate in isolation from one another.

Data sharing (which essentially means sharing information and knowledge) could, among other things, help identify whether certain vulnerable groups are being targeted by interventions while others may be overlooked.

Data Collaboratives

The last concept we will examine is that of "Data Collaboratives" introduced by The Governance Lab in New York. The official definition is as follows: “Data Collaboratives are a new form of collaboration, beyond the public-private partnership model, in which participants from different sectors – in particular, companies – exchange their data to create public value”.

The objective is clear: public problems of various kinds are identified, these problems are translated into questions that data can answer or support, the relevant data is found, and the project is carried out, along with impact measurement.

The fields of application of this methodology are vast. Today, with the generation of data in every field at a speed previously unthinkable, any issue of public interest can be answered, or at least meaningfully supported, through data.

One example is the California Data Collaborative , an initiative born of the need to enhance and create more sustainable water management practices in California. This project is rooted in collaboration, aiming to tackle through a variety of approaches, including data analysis, information sharing, shared policy-making, and so on.

Our commitment to data sharing

The international reference for this type of intervention is certainly Stefaan Verhulst, founder of the The Governance Lab in New York and The Data Tank in Brussels. Through our work with data, we have come to understand that our foundation's efforts cannot be confined to our own organisation; it is our responsibility to seek ways to make a meaningful impact on the wider community through initiatives of this nature.

For this reason, in collaboration with The Data Tank , we have organised the first Data Stewardship Bootcamp, which will be held in Turin on November 18, 19, and 20.

Our goal is to engage data professionals from large corporations, as it is within these sizable private entities that valuable data is stored, data that has the potential to significantly enhance the well-being of our society. The objective is to train professionals who, alongside their established expertise in their respective fields, will cultivate specialised skills and a heightened awareness of how to connect the data they handle with opportunities to address social issues.