Need a quick answer about something related to the Open Knowledge Foundation and its work? Here are a few of the questions we get asked the most.
Who are you?
The Open Knowledge Foundation (OKF) is a community-based not-for-profit organisation founded in 2004. Read all about us.
What do you do?
We build tools and communities to create, use and share open knowledge, content and data that everyone can use, build on and share.
As well as technical tools, the foundation also works on legal tools and open data standards.
We also run events and other activities to help promote awareness about the need for open data.
Are you a lobbying group?
No, we’re not a lobbying group and generally don’t do any direct ‘policy’-style work. We do run workshops and events and generally enthuse about the value of open information but we prefer to convince people of the value of open data through building useful, user-friendly applications and services based on open data.
Where can I get an overview of your activities?
The OKF planet site aggregates blog activity from around the OKF network. It gives a good overview of the activity across the foundation including events, guest blog posts from the community and updates about our work in the open data movement.
For central OKF activities, see the OKF blog. You can also follow us on Twitter @okfn.
In addition, each individual working group either has or soon will have its own blog for project-specific updates.
Where can I get an overview of projects?
For a list of current projects and partner projects – please see projects.
What working groups are there?
Please see working groups.
Can I bring a project that I am currently working on to the Foundation?
Absolutely! We welcome discussions about collaboration. One of our guiding principles is to collaborate to prevent duplication of effort and resources. Please drop an email to the mailing list of the most relevant interest group or contact us if no such group exists.
For a list of our current partner projects, please see projects
Can I start a new project?
Yes! We welcome suggestions from individuals and organisations looking to work with us. If your project relates to Open Data, we will aim to support you as much as we can.
Please submit your idea in our ideas forum.
Do you provide hosting?
Yes, in some cases we do, please contact us for more information
How can I get involved?
We are always looking for volunteers whether they be coders or designers, data wranglers, writers or translators… or idea generators! Enthusiasm is much more important than experience.
Please simply contact us via the Get Involved form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
I am interested in paid work – do you offer any opportunities?
Yes, check our jobs page.
We have also had a great deal of success in working with organisations who allow their employees to use a proportion of their work time to work on OKF projects. If you are interested in exploring this possibility, we will happily provide details of what this could entail and help negotiate with your organisation about how this could be mutually beneficial to both parties!
