OpenActive Phase 5 Impact Report
Kanika Joshi, Impact Lead, and Andrew Newman, Principal Data Specialist, at Open Data Institute
In July 2022 we embarked on the next phase of the OpenActive initiative with a mission to combat physical inactivity in the United Kingdom via data. The journey into open data-driven transformation in the physical activity sector continues and in this blog, we present a comprehensive summary of our impact, rooted in our monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) approach of this phase.
A quick recap of OpenActive’s MEL: The Open Data Institute and Sport England’s OpenActive initiative is opening up access to sport and physical activity opportunities for everyone through open data. The Phase 5 Impact Report highlights progress made over the last 18 months. For a detailed account of our initial milestones and progress, revisit our approach, our first review, and our second review blog
Impact of the project: Key milestones include launching new tools for data publishers and developers, engaging diverse use case communities, and publishing policy analyses. Please read the Impact Report here.
Next steps: OpenActive will continue to develop and monitor its impact, we will ensure that:
- The physical activity sector is serviced by an independent initiative capable of meeting the needs of industry, government and society.
- OpenActive is a key component of our national data infrastructure. It is robust, easy to use and sustainably maintained.
- Physical activity providers are proactively publishing standardised open data, enabling people to understand and access opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.
As the ODI’s CEO Louise Burke says in the report, this document showcases some highlights, but we know there is still a long way to go in meeting our objectives. The initiative has been extended by 18 months to achieve these critical goals and ensure OpenActive endures as a vital data infrastructure connecting everyone to the activities that can improve population health and wellbeing.
