European Union's Open Data Directive

The European Union's Open Data Directive aims to make publicly held government data more accessible and reusable by everyone. It encourages public institutions to publish their data in standard, machine-readable formats, promoting transparency, innovation, and economic growth. The directive also sets rules to ensure data is free or affordable to access, properly protected when needed, and easy to find through centralized portals. Overall, it supports the idea that open data can lead to new services, research, and better decision-making across society.