Unlocking Data Quality

How Data Certificates and Badges can create a clear, incentivized pathway for organizations to continuously improve their IATI data.

The Challenge: Ensuring Quality at Scale

The International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) standard is used by a vast and growing number of organizations. Maintaining data quality across this diverse ecosystem is crucial for transparency and effectiveness.

1500+

Organizations Publishing Data to IATI

The Solution: A 3-Step Process

A simple, powerful cycle translates abstract quality goals into tangible, verifiable achievements.

1

Define Criteria

Establish specific, measurable criteria for badges covering timeliness, comprehensiveness, and more.

2

Automate Validation

Use an objective, automated system to analyze publisher data against the defined badge criteria.

3

Award & Display

Award digital badges that can be displayed on websites and the IATI registry, recognizing achievement.

Meet the Badges

Each badge represents a specific, validated achievement in data quality, addressing key needs of data users.

Timeliness

Data is published frequently and on schedule.

📚

Comprehensiveness

Includes a high percentage of core data fields.

🔮

Forward-Looking

Contains budgets and data for future years.

🤝

Partner Data

Correctly identifies and links to implementing partners.

Visualizing the Impact

Badges provide an at-a-glance overview of data quality across the entire IATI ecosystem.

Publisher Quality Distribution

A hypothetical look at the current state of data quality. Badges create a clear incentive to move publishers towards 'Good' and 'Excellent' standing.

Potential Badge Adoption

This chart illustrates how many publishers could achieve each badge, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.

The Dual Benefit

The badge system is more than a technical tool; it’s a powerful driver for change.

A Powerful Quality Mechanism

  • Provides clear, actionable goals for data publishers.
  • Standardizes the definition of "good data" across key areas.
  • Creates public accountability and peer motivation to improve.

A Clear Advocacy Tool

  • Simplifies complex data quality concepts into an easy-to-understand visual.
  • Offers tangible incentives and recognition for good practice.
  • "Gamifies" data improvement, encouraging continuous progress.