Israel Central Bureau of Statistics Dathaton

Infrastructure Building & Data

Israel Central Bureau of Statistics Dathaton

Opening access to CBS data to enable its use as practical, implementable tools

The Project

The DatA-IL community operates on the belief that data belongs to the public, and that making it accessible has not only social value but also economic benefits for research, businesses, and overall economic growth. In 2024, DatA-IL partnered with the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) to make data that is usually available only to limited audiences accessible through a first-of-its-kind datathon. The process involved collaboration with multiple CBS departments, the design of dedicated challenges, the release of new datasets, and extensive organizational and technological efforts. At the event itself, approximately 120 participants were divided into 24 teams. The five teams that demonstrated the highest potential to develop innovative, practical products with significant public impact were connected with various public and private organizations at the conclusion of the event.

The Impact

The event created shared value for all partners: the CBS benefited from the creation of new datasets now available to the public, innovative outputs, and strengthened positioning as an organization that views data accessibility as a core value; for the DatA-IL community, it was an opportunity to expand its circles of impact and once again demonstrate the power of data as a driver of social change. In addition, the first-place project, an interactive tool for mapping and forecasting crime, has reached advanced stages of development and implementation.

Looking Ahead

The Datathon also attracted significant attention from various public-sector organizations, which approached the community with requests to hold similar events using their own data. The event demonstrated that it is possible to make data accessible to a wide audience, that there is substantial public interest in this type of data, and that there are people with the knowledge and motivation to develop data-driven digital products that can benefit society as a whole. Following this, the community published a comprehensive guide, the first of its kind, for planning and implementing similar Datathons in the public sector.