The Electronic Frontier Alliance (EFA) has welcomed Open Austin, an organization that has established itself as a leader in promoting digital equity and civic engagement. Founded in 2009, initially as a meet-up group to advocate for efficient access to the city’s open data, Open Austin restructured in 2018 as a nonprofit dedicated to developing open-source projects that benefit local social organizations.
With a strong commitment to strengthening civic participation in Central Texas, Open Austin has become the largest and oldest civic tech organization in the region, having trained over 1,500 members. These members have gained key skills that enable them to actively participate in building an inclusive digital society.
The Executive Director of Open Austin, Liani Lye, expressed her enthusiasm for the impact the organization is having on the community, highlighting the opening of its Civic Digital Lab. This space is transforming the relationship between residents and technology for the public good, currently supporting five key projects. These include a Data Research Hub, the optimization of the booking system for study rooms at the Austin Public Library, a mapping of landlords and rental properties, the promotion of public transportation, and an interactive analysis of data from surveillance cameras used by the police.
One of the standout projects is the Data Research Hub, set to launch in January 2025. Through this hub, Open Austin aims to gather residents’ concerns and connect those questions with data analysts, allowing communities to effectively address local issues. The organization has also closely collaborated with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and other local entities to facilitate this information exchange.
Open Austin has launched a new cohort for its Civil Data Fellowship program, designed to train the next generation of community leaders. This program pairs aspiring leaders, prioritizing women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, with mentors who will guide them through project completion and presentations to advocates and policymakers. Although full funding for the fellowships was not achieved this year through grants, the generosity of donors has raised 25% of the necessary funds.
The organization invites anyone interested to get involved, offering both in-person and virtual opportunities. They will also hold a year-end celebration where fellowship experiences will be shared, highlighting the community work done. Orientation sessions for volunteers will be conducted, emphasizing that contributions of a variety of skills, not just technical ones, are needed. The sustainability of Open Austin’s projects heavily relies on community support, allowing them to continue their efforts at the local level.
via: MiMub in Spanish