This is a summary of the article published in Significance Magazine, Volume 22, Issue 5, September 2025. Copyright © 2025, The Royal Statistical Society. Read the full article here (subscription required).

Data is more than just numbers or visually appealing graphics; it should paint a true picture of our experiences. No group, no matter how small, should be overlooked in data intended to inform policy.

The role of citizen data in policy-making and Global South leadership

“Citizen data” refers to data originating from initiatives in which citizens are engaged at various stages of the data value chain, guided by principles that promote inclusive, responsible, professional, and ethical production and use, regardless of whether or not these data are integrated into official statistics.
Citizen data provides a nuanced understanding of challenges faced by communities and marginalised groups, eflects local perspectives, and can be used to monitor and advocate for social change. When citizen data is integrated into official statistics, it helps fill data gaps and provides policy-makers with nuanced insights to inform their decisions. But even when not incorporated into official statistics, citizen data still presents itself as a credible data source to give insights into issues that affect citizens and communities and influence decision-making.

Citizen data in practice: From gender justice to antimicrobial resistance

In Ghana, the Let’s Talk app, developed by the Ghana Statistical Service, enables survivors and witnesses to report gender-based violence anonymously. This safe channel not only empowers women and girls to speak up but also reveals patterns and types of violence that are often hidden from view, such as incidents occurring in schools or private homes. The data provides granular, real-time insights that inform service delivery and policy-making efforts aimed at prevention and survivor support.

Similarly, CleanApp Ghana developed by the Ghana Statistical Service, allows citizens to report waste management issues in their communities through geotagged photos and descriptions. These citizen reports highlighted areas with persistent service delivery failures and helped local authorities respond more effectively. Both initiatives demonstrate how citizen data can offer practical, context-specific data that traditional surveys may overlook.

Global South sharing knowledge

Countries such as Colombia, Kenya, and Ghana are at the forefront of producing inclusive data on marginalised communities by utilising technology effectively. In 2023, Colombia began testing a web application called App Diversa which aims to capture information on discrimination experienced by citizens and contribute to measuring SDG indicator 16.b.1: “the proportion of the population who self-report that they have experienced discrimination or harassment in the past 12 months based on grounds prohibited by international human rights law”. This innovative approach showcases the commitment of Colombia’s national statistical office to incorporating citizen data and using machine learning and artificial intelligence for Earth observation analysis. It also emphasises the integration of data from non-traditional sectors and the development of experimental statistics.

The Make Inclusive Data the Norm initiative emphasises South–South learning (i.e., knowledge, resource, and technology sharing between countries in the Global South) enabling Colombia to benefit from Ghana’s experiences in data collection through mobile apps and web applications, as well as from Kenya’s methods for engaging with civil society organisations that provide incentives for closer collaboration on data-related matters. These experiences from partner countries will inform the updates for the second phase of App Diversa.

Navigating challenges and lessons learned

While these case studies demonstrate the value of citizen data, they also reveal key limitations that must be addressed to improve impact. Ensuring data quality is a consistent challenge. In Kenya, self-reported data via SMS varied in detail and clarity, and demographic gaps limited comprehensive analysis. In Ghana, while both Let’s Talk and CleanApp generated useful reports, user participation often skewed toward digitally literate, urban populations, raising concerns about the representativeness of the findings. Some users skipped questions, and in many cases, demographic data was not collected, limiting deeper analysis.

Making inclusive data the norm

While data and information generated by citizens are invaluable resources, the ultimate goal is to provide insights for effective policy-making. This objective aligns with the data value chain, emphasising how data can drive social and environmental change. As a result, both national and local governments can make informed decisions, leading to a better understanding of specific situations in different areas of the country and creating opportunities for effective solutions. The Colombian government’s funding of the Make Inclusive Data the Norm initiative highlights the increasing capacity of Global South countries to shape their collective future, supported by equitable data. We urge other countries and institutions to provide direct funding for similar collaborations focused on data for inclusive and equitable policies.

Read more in the full article, published in Significance Magazine, Volume 22, Issue 5, September 2025 (subscription required).

Initiatives