Berlin Open Data Day 2026 is jointly organised by the Technologiestiftung Berlin (Berlin Technology Foundation) and the Open Knowledge Foundation Germany (OKF Germany). The event takes place on 7 March 2026 in Berlin, coinciding with the worldwide International Open Data Day celebrations. It brings together open data advocates, software developers, data journalists, civic activists, and municipal officials to explore the role of open government data in smart city planning, transparency, and citizen empowerment.
The Technologiestiftung Berlin is a publicly funded foundation that promotes the understanding and application of technology for Berlin's benefit, running projects in areas such as open data, digital education, and civic tech. OKF Germany is the German chapter of the international Open Knowledge Foundation, advocating for open data, transparency, and civic participation. Together, these organisations have been instrumental in building Berlin's vibrant open data community.
Key activities include hackathons where teams build applications and tools using open government datasets, data visualisation workshops that teach participants how to make complex data accessible and engaging, and panel discussions on the strategic role of open data in urban governance, from transport planning and environmental monitoring to budget transparency and participatory democracy.
The programme also addresses emerging topics such as the use of AI and machine learning with open data, data quality and standardisation challenges, the intersection of open data with data privacy regulations, and strategies for encouraging more government agencies to release data proactively. For developers, researchers, journalists, and city officials who believe that open data can make cities more transparent, efficient, and democratic, Berlin Open Data Day provides a dynamic and community-driven platform for learning, building, and advocating.