Openpolis

The founding principle of Openpolis is data transparency and the culture of digital commons, which drives its written production in method and approach.

Co-founder Vincenzo Smaldore does not hesitate to call himself and the other three co-founders a group of "geeks" who, in 2008, wondered how technology could foster the human ability to analyse complex phenomena and the involvement of citizens in public affairs.

Initially, they created several data dashboards, such as OpenParlamento, to increase transparency in public spending and political activities in Italy. Thanks to the increasing number of national and international grants received, over time Openpolis expanded its focus to the economy, welfare, education — in short, every public interest topic regarding Italy and its regions.

Subsequently, they increased the production of articles explaining and analysing the data collected. Openpolis' public motto is: "We tell stories with data for transparency reasons. We spread them to trigger democratic participation."

The initial team comprised four friends who committed to launching the media outlet. More than 10 years on, Openpolis employs 17 people. It is registered as a "participatory foundation" because this legal entity allows the organisation to carry out not-for-profit projects. For the same reason, it is not registered as an online media outlet.

Openpolis is not interested in developing an advertising model, and its ethical code excludes "any economic relations with public funds". In 2022, it started testing a membership programme, replicating the Guardian model: all the information is free and ad-free, and the members show that they support the project. Consistently with its founding principle, the organisation does not use data profiling.

Openpolis has won several national and international awards.

Last updated date: February 2025