Increasing the quantity and quality of Open Data with the establishment of digital labs

By project OD4GROWTH

Published on 22 November 2024

Italy

Veneto

About this good practice

Veneto Region published a Call for proposal under POR FESR Veneto 2014-2020. Axis 2. Action 2.3.1 for the establishment of Innovation Labs aimed at consolidating/developing the "Centri P3@-Palestre Digitali" network and disseminating the culture of Open Data. The total budget of the call was 9.797.160,36 Meuro.
The intervention aimed to create local Innovation Labs or to give birth and spread throughout the territory region, meeting and participation places active, for the dissemination of the culture of Open Data in a perspective of Social Innovation. It is about creating real physical places, which act as intermediary poles between the requests/proposals/initiatives of Social Innovation expressed from the territory

Expert opinion

This good practice highlights an innovative regional approach by the Veneto Region to promote digital literacy and the culture of Open Data through the establishment of Innovation Labs and Digital Gyms. Supported by a budget of €9.8 million under POR FESR Veneto 2014-2020, this initiative created 14 Innovation Labs and 137 Digital Gyms, engaging 22% of the region's municipalities and reaching 44% of the population. These spaces foster Open and Social Innovation by enhancing citizens’ digital skills, supporting public administration and SMEs, and leveraging Open Data for local economic growth. Recognised for advancing digital competence, this model offers a scalable framework for regional authorities seeking to drive digitalisation and Open Data exploitation to generate community and economic benefits.

Laura Varisco

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

The budget of the Call for proposals is 9.797.160,36 Euro. The monitoring activity carried out by the regional staff during the project has been provided by 2 full-time employees (about 100.000,00 euro).

Evidence of success

22% of the 563 Municipalities involved hosted at least one center (Innovation Lab/digital Gym)
44% (2.122.045) of the regional population lives in one of the Municipalities hosting at least one center (Innovation Lab/Digital gym)
Totally 14 Innovation Labs established (to stimulate and promote Open and Social Innovation projects for citizens, PA and firms);
Totally 137 Digital gyms established (acquire and increase citizens' digital skills)
Awarded for "digital competence and skills"

Potential for learning or transfer

a) the call for proposals published by the Veneto Region can be used by other regional authorities
b) the model of "digital labs" and "digital gyms" can be transferred to support regional digitalisation practices, increase quantity and quality of Open Data and raise attitude by citizens and SMEs to exploit Open Data and developing OD-based services
c) activities to raise the exploitation of Open Data to produce new multimedia products and contribute to the local growth (data economy)