The Open Data Chronicles is a 12-episode podcast exploring how the open data sector in Ukraine has evolved since the Revolution of Dignity, what impact it has had over the past decade, and the challenges it has faced since the start of the full-scale invasion.

In the podcast, experts discuss open data not as a narrow technical topic, but as a practical tool for public oversight, government accountability, anti-corruption efforts, investigative journalism, and business development.

Each episode focuses on a specific topic, institution, or sector where open data plays a tangible, real-world role. At the heart of the podcast are digital systems and datasets that have become essential to the functioning of the Ukrainian state, including Prozorro, E-Data, public finance data, banking statistics, macroeconomic indicators, environmental data, extractive industry data, as well as open data from law enforcement and the judiciary.

Episode 1 "Data That Changed Everything"

Following the Revolution of Dignity, open data became one of the key instruments of transparency and accountability in Ukraine. In this episode, guests reflect on how the open data sector has evolved over the past decade, how it has been affected by the full-scale war, and why its future now depends on balancing openness with security needs.

Episode 2 "Open Data in Donor Focus"

Open data in Ukraine has developed not only through government decisions but also thanks to the sustained support of international donors, who helped build transparency infrastructure and launch data-driven services. This episode explores how donor support has shaped the sector, how demand for open data has grown during the full-scale war, and how it can help donors, governments, and communities plan recovery and monitor resource use.

Episode 3 "The Stars of Big Open Data"

For over a decade, Ukrainians have had access to powerful tools for monitoring public spending — Prozorro and E-Data. These platforms have made visible what was once hidden in paper reports and offices, from procurement planning to contract payments. This episode looks at how these systems have transformed public financial oversight.

Episode 4 "The Role of Regional Administrations in Opening Data"

Open data at the regional level does not emerge on its own — it is the result of the work of regional military administrations, which support communities in conducting audits, publishing datasets, and consolidating data for decision-making. This episode discusses how they coordinate data publication and why this work is essential for territorial development and transparent cooperation between government, communities, and donors.

Episode 5 "Kyiv Data: On the Path to Openness"

Urban open data in Ukraine is often underestimated, even though it helps assess how comfortable, safe, and efficient city life is. This episode explores how Kyiv is improving its approach to open data publication and how these datasets contribute to building a more livable and manageable urban environment.

Episode 6 "Open Data in the Financial Sector"

Open data in the financial sector provides insights not only into the banking system but also into broader economic trends — from capital flows and consumption to labor markets and macroeconomic forecasts. Experts discuss how the National Bank of Ukraine structures and publishes data, how analysts use it, and what gaps remain.

Episode 7 "Environmental Open Data"

Environmental and extractive industry data reveal not only the state of the environment but also how resource extraction impacts communities, local budgets, and long-term development. This episode highlights why such data is critical, how tools like SaveEcoBot and the EITI Portal help users access reliable information, and what challenges exist in collecting, monitoring, and publishing environmental data — especially during wartime.

Episode 8 "Why Open Data Isn’t Always Convenient"

While Ukraine’s open data sector has grown rapidly, new challenges have emerged — from usability to security and trust. This episode examines which datasets matter most for citizens, journalists, and businesses, and why data only becomes truly valuable when it powers practical services.

Episode 9 "Legal Protection and Advocacy of Open Data"

The right to access public information is fundamental to transparency, yet it often requires legal defense. Some data holders ignore legal requirements or publish datasets only formally. This episode explores how court practice shapes the sector and why civic oversight remains crucial, especially amid wartime pressures and evolving interpretations of security risks.

Episode 10 "Drivers of Transparency"

Open data in Ukraine has moved beyond the technical sphere to become a foundation for anti-corruption tools and business analytics services. This episode covers what makes Ukrainian open data unique, the story of OpenDataBot, and the role of open data in reforms led by Transparency International Ukraine, including ProZorro and ProZorro.Sale.

Episode 11 "Data Journalism, OSINT, and Open Data"

In a world where information shapes reality and data drives decisions, the role of data journalism and OSINT is rapidly growing. This episode explores how to work with open sources, large datasets, and satellite imagery, why data only matters when it tells a story, and how combining journalistic intuition with analytical tools helps explain complex processes.

Episode 12 "Inside Open Data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Judiciary"

Open data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Judicial Administration is not just datasets on a portal but the result of extensive internal work — from collection and structuring to publication and use. This episode explores how these systems operate, what data is available, who uses it, and why interoperability between datasets is critical for the state.