University research on the use of local authority data

Local governance faces many challenges. Public action is increasingly complex due to the diversity of the tasks local authorities – municipalities, CPAS, Provinces – have to carry out:

• risk management,
• fight against inequalities in a context of globalization,
• development of sustainable economic activities.

In addition, local authorities are now invited to work in collaboration with an ever-increasing number of actors – civil society organizations, businesses and citizens – to make public decisions more inclusive and effective. The management of data collected by these local authorities is at the heart of these transformations, especially in the context of Open Data strategies. This consists in making these data available, free of charge, to any interested user, without limit or restriction as to use.

However, the translation of this ideal into local public action is far from evident. Local authorities are already setting up many participatory mechanisms (advisory councils, CCATMs, participatory budgets, etc.), but their implementation often remains problematic.

In this context, we propose to analyze the incentives and obstacles to the establishment of participatory mechanisms by local authorities and the prospects of evolution.

Contact: Jérémy Dodeigne and Vincent Jacquet

Project funded by Loth-Info - 2021-2023