Knowledge, transparency, collaboration, innovation and system transformation are some of the big prizes on offer and within reach by embracing the opportunities presented by open data.

More than 200,000 lives have been saved in European countries thanks to faster emergency response resulting from open maps data and open real-time traffic data.

The sharing of real-time public transport data in the EU has saved a whopping 27 million hours for employees in public transport.

The possibilities are endless.

Evidence of the social and economic value created by opening our data is powerful. Imagine what’s possible in Essex if we breakdown our data silos further still, to improve data-sharing and join together critical data to produce research and insight that enables us all to plan our county’s future together.

Delve into the new interactive Essex Residents Survey dashboard at Essex Open Data. With almost 6,000 residents responding to the 2022 survey, you can explore the data by specific groups, locations, or topics such as personal wellbeing, volunteering, views towards the local area, and attitudes towards the environment and climate change.

Search for specific datasets such as 2021 Census data and examine data using interactive tools and maps in the new Essex Area Profiles. Browse the ever-popular Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and access the latest insight on themes including climate action and cost-of-living. You can download data to view on your own computer, link to other resources, and suggest future datasets that you'd like to see.

Get involved and unlock the potential of your data! We’re celebrating Open Data Day on 4 March by expanding the Essex Open Data Steering Group, email open.data@essex.gov.uk to find out more and join us.