In the first round of activities, we have built an open data research environment that supports TODO project objectives and facilitates interdisciplinary multi-domain research within UNIZG, TUDELFT and UAEGEAN.
The work performed in building open data capacity ensured that all project participants share a common knowledge base on the open data ecosystem and life cycle and its theoretical and practical challenges and use the same open data vocabulary. We have successfully developed and implemented two rounds of Online Training Programme (105+125 participants) covering the fundamental and more advanced areas of open data research and practice. We have organised a joint Summer School (36 participants), which resulted in an initial framework for an interdisciplinary research approach/strategy dealing with one or multiple stages of the open data life cycle. To gain insight into the policies and day-to-day practices of open data organizations and in the main challenges they are facing we have conducted series of six virtual site visits (an average of 24 participants) and one physical site visit (18 participants).
Within the scope of collaborating and knowledge sharing, we have engaged 15 early-stage researchers (ESRs) in the open data training and research. Four ESRs defend their PhD theses and one ESR had his PhD topic formally approved by UNZIG Senate. To enhance the collaboration within and across disciplines and project partners, we have successfully organised the two research seminars (28+60 participants). To foster the exchange of knowledge and scientific collaboration between ESRs we have set up ESR TODOLab which hosted thirteen ERS meetings. Twelve ESR and staff exchange visits were conducted aimed at establishing research agenda and collaboration between partner institutions, involving six ESRs from four UNIZG institutions. We have developed a joint publication and research groups plan targeted towards the enhancement of knowledge sharing among partners, which along with the participation of the ESRs resulted in (published, accepted or in review): 30 peer-reviewed publications (15 conference proceedings and 15 in relevant journals), 14 publications in professional journals (7 English and 7 Croatian), and 63 conference participation (including conference abstracts).
To ensure the sustainable open data research environment and post-project continuation of the TODO collaboration we have created a joint research taxonomy of open data research areas and topics. Six project proposals have been submitted on these research areas and two more are under development. We have established Open Data Group Croatia where researchers, students, users of open data, publishers of open data, and open data enthusiasts can communicate, and distribute their research ideas, problems, etc. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by all partners involved to enter a cooperative relationship and collaboration in the field of open data. The work carried out towards the implementation of knowledge gained through the project in open data education resulted in the update of 27 courses in UNIZG, TUDELFT and UAEGEAN; the introduction of 6 new courses and the creation of 2 new courses submitted for review. Additionally, UNIZG partners have jointly initiated the procedure for proposing a new interdisciplinary course on open data at the University level which builds upon the results of the TODO project, focusing on different aspects of open data (e.g. technical, legal, and social) and multiple domains in which TODO partners are active either as a user, producer and/or researcher.
To raise awareness of the TODO project and the project results, we have established and continuously used multiple channels (TODO website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, ResearchGate) for communication, dissemination and outreach of the project outcomes. In the outreach Open Data Life Cycle Workshop (88 participants) we have contributed to the capacity building beyond the TODO consortium and by partnering with national stakeholders in the organisation of the Open Data Day Croatia 2021 Conference (live-streamed on YouTube) we have contributed directly to the Croatian open data ecosystem. We have successfully organised the National Open Data Conference – NODC2021 (134 participants) and the International Conference on Open Data: Open Data Challenges and Opportunities in Times of Crisis and Growth (300 participants) and have covered a wide range of topics on legal, political, social, financial and technical challenges in the provision and use of open data, in general, and in specific sectors (for example, traffic data, geospatial data, etc.). To contribute to the education of open data starters in Croatia we have created and deployed a Massive Open Online Course MOOC (205 enrolled users). Under the title "Open data, what is it and how can I benefit? Best practices for open data in Croatia" the MOOC demonstrates the best practices for open data in Croatia, both for data starters and experienced users and producers.
