Dutch govt encourages use of open data with EUR 20,000 SODA award - Telecompaper

"The Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) is calling on organisations to use open data in an innovative way. State Secretary Raymond Knops said the cabinet wants to make data as available as possible, taking into account important safeguards such as privacy. BZK will be giving out the Stuiveling Open Data Award (SODA) for the third time this year and is calling on organisations to take part. The prize will give EUR 20,000 to the application that best uses open data from the Dutch government. This can be a website or app, from a public or private organisation, or from individuals. Knops will present the award on 4 October during the Innovation Expo in Rotterdam. Applications can be submitted until 5 September. It is the first time the current coalition government has highlighted the importance of open data. Knops said that it is important that data can be found and used. "That benefits innovation and can contribute to social, democratic and economic added value," he said. The SODA bears the name of the former president of the General Audit Chamber, Saskia Stuiveling. According to Knops, she was a warm advocate of open data. The first SODA was awarded in 2016 to startup GreenHome. Their HuisScan gives homeowners quick and easy insight into the best energy-saving measures for their specific home, based on open data. In 2017, 'What does my healthcare cost?', from the Consumentenbond won, with its attempt to encourage transparency in healthcare."