Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@ianschuler

ianschuler/USAID-open.md

Created October 17, 2014 14:03
Show Gist options
  • Save ianschuler/4b2db3fb776c42583eba to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Save ianschuler/4b2db3fb776c42583eba to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Download ZIP
Raw
USAID-open.md

Dear [Partner],

USAID has clear policies that favors open data and open source technology. There are three policy documents that I think are instructive here. Two apply to data ownership. The third refers to both open data and open source.

USAID ADS Chapter 579 covers USAID's Development Data policies. It covers data collected under USAID-supported efforts. It requires that data be collected in machine readable formats whenever possible and covers data ownership. It refers strongly to Federal Government's Open Data Policy which is also enforced by USAID.

USAID recently adopted the Principles for Digital Development. The document call for USAID implementers to "Use open standards, open data, open source, and open innovation." It provides the following specific guidance:

  • Adopt and expand existing open standards.
  • Open data and functionalities, and expose them in documented APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) where use by a larger community is possible.
  • Invest in software as a public good.
  • Develop software to be open source by default with the code made available in public repositories and supported through developer communities.

I'm not sure how these commitments are reflected in your contract with USAID, but that could be another good signal for USAID's intentions.

Cheers, Ian

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment