UNOPS first to publish geocoded project information in the IATI format

UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) has become the first organisation to publish fully geocoded information about its activities in the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) open data format. This move comes as an effort to support use of development funds more efficiently.

By publishing latitude and longitude information and precision code values, it is possible to show the location of more than 1,000 projects implemented by UNOPS on behalf of partners at a provincial, district and village level, where possible.

Users of IATI data files can display where UNOPS is supporting peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations on mapping software and combine this information with other geocoded sets of information. This will help beneficiary countries and development partners better coordinate the use of valuable resources.

The new data set is available for download from the IATI Registry. In the coming months UNOPS will integrate geocoding data into a new project information platform, data.unops.org, an online hub that will present a wide variety of project and expenditure information in a visually appealing and accessible manner.

UNOPS joined IATI in September 2011, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to transparency and accountability. They began publishing their information in the IATI format in October 2011, and were one of the first organisations to do so.

Other IATI members include, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the European Commission, and The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria as well as 14 donor countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, the United States and the United Kingdom.