Yorkshire to play host to data ‘Node’

THE Open Data Institute, co-founded by web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee and funded by the Government and eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, has announced the creation of 13 “Nodes” around the world, including one in Yorkshire, which will bring together companies, universities, and non-governmental organisations to support open data projects and communities.

The institute believes that a culture of open data can create economic, environmental, and social value. It aims to unlock supply, generate demand, create and disseminate knowledge to address local and global issues.

Since its launch last December, the ODI said it received requests from across the world asking for support in setting up country-wide or regional versions of the organisation. Yesterday, the institute announced that cities including Leeds, Manchester, Brighton, Dubai, Chicago, Paris, Gothenburg, Moscow and Buenos Aires will be home to these Nodes.

Minister Francis Maude said open data has the ability to foster innovation, drive economic growth and create prosperity.