Madrid: October 2009

The Proyecto Aporta , Spanish PSI re-use information service, news service references an article highly commending the project’s work in raising awareness about the benefits of and stimulating PSI re-use.

The article entitled: “El Proyecto APORTA: La Reutilización De La Información Del Sector Público” (Project Aporta: Re-use of Public Sector Information) was published by Boletic , Quarterly Magazine featuring technology news, articles and interviews, published by ASTIC (Spanish Asociación Profesional del Cuerpo Superior de Sistemas y Tecnologías de la Información de la Administración del Estado/ Spanish Association of Senior Systems and Information Technology of the State Administration).

The author, Salvador Soriano Maldonado, describes the approach taken by Proyecto Aporta during its first year as well as giving an overview of the comprehensive and key issues addressed by the project. In writing about Proyecto Aporta, Salvador Maldonado provides a concise and clear overview of PSI re-use issues – all of which are reflected in the work of Aporta.

The author comments:

“De la experiencia obtenida del proyecto Aporta se deduce que la reutilización de la información del sector público en España va en aumento y que existe un importante potencial por desarrollar en el futuro.”

“From experience gained by Proyecto Aporta, indications are that Spanish PSI re-use is increasing and that there is significant potential for future development.”

Key Messages by Proyecto Aporta:

• It is unquestionable that information is a key part of the information society. The development of the internet has changed many things including giving rise to new business models and businesses drawing on public data. Public sector information is a raw material with great potential.
• Public sector information provides public administrations with the opportunity for transparency about political strategies and decisions and to actively engage citizens in the development of public services and political decision making; facilitating interaction between citizens and governments. The examples of this dimension to using public data are many and a couple which are noted include providing information to citizens such as about vaccinations or citizen involvement in addressing ecological issues

Article Highlights (Read Article in Spanish language)

• Proyecto Aporta works under the framework of the Spanish Avanza Plan, a major Spanish Government initiative headed by the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade (MITYC). It is focused on fostering Information Society developments in Spain through various projects and initiatives directed at improving economic productivity and the general welfare of all Spanish citizens. The development of and work of Proyecto Aporta has been possible with funding from the Avanza Plan2. The outcome of the Plan Avanza consultation is expected soon.
• Proyecto Aporta has demonstrated resourcefulness, enthusiasm and innovation in communicating and connecting with PSI communities in sharing information about PSI re-use benefits, developments in Spain and elsewhere and discussing the future strategies and challenges.
• Proyecto Aporta has been working successfully for a year to raise awareness of the value of public sector information as the engine of the digital content industry – to public administrations, private companies and citizens.
• Examples of PSI re-use across all sectors are brought to the forefront by Proyecto Aporta’s work: tourism, GPS navigation, meteorological, geographic, cultural and many more. Often, these services are emerging from the development of new information society technologies and involve private sector companies re-using PSI and adding value to the data to create new services. Despite the newness of these services, they are integrated into our day to day lives.
• Proyecto Aporta draws on PSI re-use experience and examples from all levels – international, European and Member State. Proyecto Aporta points to all of these. An example at the international level is the work of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) – PSI re-use principles and declarations. Also, in Spain referencing Law 37/2007 (Spanish Transposition of the European Directive on PSI re-use). Consideration is given to the work of European colleagues such as OPSI (Office of Public Sector Information, UK) and APIE (l’Agence du patrimoine immatériel de l’État, France) and others. Proyecto Aporta works collaboratively with European initiatives such as the European PSI Platform.
• The work accomplished by Proyecto Aporta indicates its wide scope and extensive coverage of the issues.
• PSI Information Portal - excellent and stimulating online information, dissemination and communication options on PSI re-use topics from Spain, Europe and internationally. The portal features are comprehensive, innovative, interactive and very user friendly. With a few easy clicks, one can access the latest news, blog discussions, background information, press releases, documentation on events as well as RSS services and active social network channels.
• Good Practice Initiatives - Spanish Guía Aporta sobre Reutilización de la información del sector público (Spanish Aporta Guide on Re-using Public Sector Information) available in pdf and video formats (described by the ePSIplatform as excellent reference source document for the public sector). Proyecto Aporta makes this resource available to be translated or adapted and used by other European countries.
• Aporta sponsored training - opportunities for the public sector learn about how to facilitate and animate re-use – fostering a culture of re-use within the public sector.
• Series of Meetings on PSI re-use – creating networks in Spain and Europe – reaching out and sharing information with published meeting documentation accessible online.

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Article References

Author: Salvador Soriano Maldonado

Title:El Proyecto APORTA: La Reutilización De La Información Del Sector Público

Publisher: Boletic , Quarterly Magazine featuring technology news, articles and interviews, published by ASTIC (Spanish Asociación Profesional del Cuerpo Superior de Sistemas y Tecnologías de la Información de la Administración del Estado/ Spanish Association of Senior Systems and Information Technology of the State Administration), No. 51, September 2009

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