Data relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are riddled with gaps. It is part of the reason why only 17% of SDG targets are on track to be achieved by the end of this decade, argue Yongyi Min and Haoyi Chen of the United Nations Statistics Division and Francesca Perucci of Open Data Watch. Data gathering by citizens can help. A set of guidelines called the Copenhagen Framework on Citizen Data can help to accelerate SDG implementation and uphold its overarching ‘leave no one behind’ principle — but implementing the framework won’t be easy.
Traditional data collection methods often fall short, particularly in tracking localized or small-scale issues. By involving citizens, grassroots organizations, and communities in data production, the process becomes more inclusive and reflective of the diverse challenges people face. Citizen data initiatives, such as the ones used in Kenya and Kyrgyzstan, show how these efforts can be integrated into national reporting systems, fostering better collaboration between civil society and government bodies.
One of the challenges highlighted is ensuring the quality and comparability of citizen-generated data. Unlike official statistics, which are typically quantitative, citizen data can be qualitative and localized.
Legal frameworks need to evolve to recognize this type of data, and there is a need for building technical and statistical infrastructure to support it. While implementing such a system is complex, the potential to close data gaps and enhance the inclusivity of SDG monitoring is promising, given the active involvement of communities and organizations globally.