We envision an open world, where all non-personal information is open, free for everyone to use, build on and share; and creators and innovators are fairly recognized and rewarded. We strongly believe that open knowledge is power and will empower citizens and enable fair and sustainable societies. We see a world where information helps deliver a balance of power; where we are free to make our own choices, with key information and insights available to all leading towards sustainable development. Power can only be held through the openness of key information, inconsistencies will show up more clearly and inefficiencies will be exposed in no time. With the latest data publicly available, the more potential to understand its tangible issues and the probable measures to be taken to curtail challenges such as poverty, health, uneven development, climatic change, etc.

The concept of openness is critical: meaning that information is free for anyone, anywhere, to use for any purpose, so that everyone – citizens, scientists, activists, entrepreneurs – have access to the information they need. Recent developments in information and communications technologies are offering new ways for content to be published, connected, discovered and used. This key information includes how governments spend our money – both their plans and the reality – so that they are accountable to citizens, the laws which govern us, the results of elections, maps and postcode information – the plumbing of modern society. So, we can start to understand these, tackle them, and know if our solutions are working. Open knowledge is empowering – it helps us effectively change and improve the world.

We will pursue this vision in the following ways:

• People: Supporting people and organizations to create a free, fair and open future.
• Places: Extend our global reach into new geographies and industries, in particular, health, education and work.
• Policies: Having policies and procedures that support our vision and make us fit for purpose.
• Partnerships: Working in partnership with others who can help us achieve our vision and secure funding partnerships that enable us to be sustainable.