The impact of online FOI

Savita Bailur & Tom Longley

research@mysociety.org

Aims

• In what circumstances, if any, can tools like Alaveteli be shown to have an measurable impacton the ability of citizens to exert power over underperforming institutions• May-September 2014– Literature review of broader & online FOI– Skype interviews (27 sites incl. 20 Alaveteli)– List of critical success factors (CSFs)

What is Alaveteli?

Findings• 27 implementers of online FOI

• 17 out of 27 collected data (on request/response, not demographics)

• “Measurable impact” hard – just awareness-raising the first place

• Government indifference, evasiveness & lack of capacity (Italy quote)

• Media & CSOs not as forthcoming as expected

• Publicity & sustainability key issues (Québec quote)

Year established

Stats collected

Request/response

CSFs [critical success factors]• Use Alaveteli

• Connect with the Alaveteli community and wider FOI community

• Think about your aim

• Invest in promotion

• Launch with an event

• Get government on your side … somehow

• Partner with an organisation

• Think about your business model

• Expect to put in the work

• It’s not about the technology

Further research on impact?

• Tools on measurement• Support on research, e.g. what works, what doesn’t work – A/B testing; interviews; • How long do we allow before we talk “impact”