Description
The existing legal framework in Poland with respect to access to meteorological data is flawed. It goes against the provisions of EU Directive on the reuse of public sector information (2003/98/EC). This project is a response to the lack of public access to meteo data. It seeks to form a common front of scientists, students, lawyers and the general public, mainly independent and amateur met stations and meteorology fans across Poland, to ensure participation in the legislative process with respect to the right of access to public information. The project will result in developing a website offering education, exchange of information, access to weather data, promotion of good practices for information exchange, and in organizing three workshops and a seminar (to educate and integrate activists who want to take part in legislative process and meteo data sharing). Main goal of the project: to change public institutions' policy and practice towards granting general access to meteo data.
Summary of project results
"The project was a response to the social problem of the lack of open access to meteorological and hydrological data from the IMGW network of stations. The aim of the project was to create a civil group of experts, owners of meteorological stations, meteorology hobbyists from all over Poland that could participate in activities for opening meteorological data through implementing good practices and amendments in legal regulations on reuse of public information. As a result of advocacy activities led in the Parliament and the Senate, amendments to the act on reuse of information from public sector were adopted, opening from 01.01.2017 meteorological data for commercial and non-commercial use. The advocacy activities led under the project contributed to the opening of meteorological data. Over 40 official letters and questions were sent during parliamentary and government works on the draft act on reuse of information from public sector. 4 two-day training and education workshops and 2 seminars were organised. The Internet page
www.dostepdodanych.pl and PCA profile on Facebook were launched, to integrate meteorology and climatology hobbyists and academic scientists. Educational tools were prepared, such as a quiz, cloud atlas, and 4 iconographies on the process of law-making in the government and the Parliament and the rules for making available the meteorological data. 130 articles and other materials, and over 300 photos and drawings were posted on the Internet page of the project, as well as 165 posts on the PCA Facebook profile. To promote good practices, a base of meteorological stations sharing their data was created. Presently, the base includes 103 meteorological stations. Members of meteorology and climatology hobbyist organisations took part in the project. The advocacy activities in the Parliament were joined by members of the Association Skywarn Poland - the Polish Storm Hunters. The petition addressed to the minister of environment on 11.01.2016, signed by 353 persons, mainly beneficiaries of the project, played an important role in opening meteorological data."
Summary of bilateral results