Do you excel and innovate using Open Data?

To promote public services all over the world to keep on innovating and striving for excellence, the United Nations are organising the "United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA)". With this award, in support of the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions are awarded worldwide. This is important as these innovations are those which lead to a more effective and responsive public administration, addressing the needs of citizens and businesses. The Award is open to all public organisations, including governments and public sector institutions and public-private partnerships for delivering services.

Nominations for the Awards for 2017 are invited in three categories:

1. Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and participation;
2. Promoting transparency, accountability and integrity in public service; and
3. Innovation and excellence in delivering health services.

In all of these categories the use of Open Data can lead to innovative public services, revolutionising for example development aid, public spending, or health services. These are just examples but if you also innovate and excel in public services, with or without Open Data, the UN is looking for you! The deadline for the awards is 17 March so don't hesitate too long for nominating yourself, your colleagues or the initiative of your department.