Steady but Slow — Open Data’s Progress in the Caribbean | |

"For the 2016 survey, the Caribbean was represented by ten countries — Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. As the Caribbean’s Regional Coordinator, we manage and source survey submissions from citizens, open data enthusiasts, and government representatives. These submissions then undergo a quality review process led by global experts. This exercise resulted in 150 surveys for the region and provided both an excellent snapshot of how open data in the Caribbean is progressing and comparative positioning of how the region ranks in a global context.

Unfortunately, progress in the Caribbean has been mixed, if not slow. While Caribbean governments were early adopters of Freedom of Information legislation — 7 countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago) having passed FOI law — the digital channels through which many citizens are increasingly accessing government information remain underdeveloped. Furthermore, the publication of raw and baseline data, beyond references in press releases, remains a challenge across the region."