About Fundación ciudadana civio
Fundación Ciudadana Civio: Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration
Fundación Ciudadana Civio is a non-profit organization that aims to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in public administration. The organization was founded in 2011 by a group of journalists, programmers, and activists who were concerned about the lack of access to information and the opacity of public institutions.
Civio's mission is to use data journalism and technology to empower citizens with information that can help them make informed decisions about their lives. The organization believes that access to information is a fundamental right of citizens in a democratic society. Therefore, it works towards making public data accessible, understandable, and usable for everyone.
One of Civio's main areas of focus is on monitoring the activities of public institutions such as government agencies, political parties, and other organizations that receive public funding. Through its investigative journalism projects, Civio exposes cases of corruption or misuse of funds by these entities. It also advocates for more transparency in decision-making processes by pushing for reforms in laws related to access to information.
Civio has developed several tools that allow citizens to access public data easily. For instance, "Tu Derecho A Saber" (Your Right To Know) is an online platform where citizens can request information from any government agency or institution using the Spanish Law on Transparency. The platform also provides guidance on how citizens can exercise their right to know.
Another tool developed by Civio is "Quién Cobra La Obra" (Who Gets Paid For Public Works), which tracks all contracts awarded by local governments for construction projects across Spain. This tool helps prevent corruption by providing transparency into how taxpayer money is being spent.
Civio has also been involved in promoting open data policies at both national and international levels. It has participated in various initiatives aimed at improving access to government-held data such as Open Government Partnership (OGP) - an international initiative that promotes transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in government.
In addition to its investigative journalism projects and advocacy work, Civio also provides training and support to journalists, activists, and citizens who want to use data for social good. The organization offers workshops on data journalism, open data policies, and civic technology.
Civio's work has been recognized both nationally and internationally. In 2016, it was awarded the "Premio Nacional de Periodismo Miguel Delibes" (Miguel Delibes National Journalism Award) for its investigative journalism project on the Spanish political party Podemos. It has also received funding from various organizations such as Open Society Foundations and Google News Initiative.
In conclusion, Fundación Ciudadana Civio is a leading organization in promoting transparency and accountability in public administration through data journalism and technology. Its work has helped expose cases of corruption or misuse of funds by public institutions while advocating for more transparency in decision-making processes. Civio's tools have made it easier for citizens to access public data while its training programs have empowered journalists, activists, and citizens with skills needed to use data for social good.