Data Projects & Advocacy
Data is a powerful tool to ensure transparency and influence change. When visualized right, data can be a great advocacy tool. In this post we’d like to share a couple of projects & initiatives that are doing interesting things with data advocacy & visualization.
1. The Ballot
The Ballot is a visual compendium of information about Indian democracy. Starting from August 15th, they have been posting on topics as varied as criminal records of current Lok Sabha members to how an ordinary bill becomes an act.
They visualize and comment on important facts and figures we ought to know as India prepares for the 2014 General Elections. The richly illustrated graphs and charts on The Ballot make it easy to consume relevant nuggets of information and improve our overall understanding of the Indian Democracy and its state today.
[The above image is from a post on women in all the Lok Sabhas.]
Visualising Information for Advocacy is a book by the Tactical Tech team about how advocates and activists use visual elements in their campaigns. This guide features over 60 case studies from around the world that provide an introduction to understanding visual information and a framework for using images for influence. It has been developed from their experience on working to help campaigners and activists around the world to use information, visual representation and digital technologies in their work, over the past ten years.
Tactical Tech, the team behind Visualizing Advocacy, is an organisation dedicated to the use of information in activism. They make toolkits, films and guides, and organize trainings and events that support rights advocates and helps activists with tools and techniques to bring about positive social change.
These are but two examples from the fertile & fast evolving landscape of data advocacy. Apart from being effective tools to help us understand the world better, they are bold steps towards making the civil society more transparent and corruption free.
At DataWeave, we continue to enable users to access data for Advocacy. Two such APIs we’ve released for insights into the Indian Democracy are
1. Lok sabha and Assembly Elections Results Data (Candidate wise)
Candidates wise result list of all contestants for Lok sabha and Assembly elections. Data can be accessed by State, House & Year .
2. Member Of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme .
Under The Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), each MP has a choice to suggest works upto Rs. 5 Crores per annum to be taken up in his/her constituency. This data specifies the details of the allotted amount to each MP, its usage and unspent balance since 15th Lok Sabha 2009-2010.
Check out our full list of APIs here.
If you manage or know of other data advocacy projects feel free to write to us at contact@dataweave.in & we promise to do our bit and spread the word about your project. Also get in touch with us if you are looking for a particular data set that aids you in your Data Advocacy project.
About DataWeave:
DataWeave helps businesses make data-driven decisions by providing relevant actionable data. The company aggregates and organizes data from the web, such that businesses can access millions of data points through APIs, dashboards, and visualizations. To use our platform for your data needs write into us at contact@dataweave.in.
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