Data Are Power: Addressing the Power Imbalance Around Community Data with the Open-Access Data4HumanRights Curriculum

Abstract

Data4HumanRights’ training materials have been developed as open-source and tailored to limited-resource settings, where community data collectors often live and work. Access to training on data collection, analysis, and visualisation to support the advocacy of vulnerable groups is essential, particularly in the context of increasing human rights challenges such as land rights, adequate housing, conflicts, and climate justice. This paper provides an overview of how the training materials were co-developed with community data collectors in Nigeria and Kenya, offering insights into the fundamental principles (i.e., inclusiveness, adaptive, limited resources, and being gender- and incentive-sensitive) and the structure of the open-access training materials. The development process resulted in 28 modules, each designed to be delivered in a face-to-face format in less than one day by a local trainer. To maximize adaptivity, the training modules can be mixed and matched (e.g., as individual modules or a learning path of several modules around a specific training need). The individual modules cover a range of methods and tools that are useful to human rights work and community advocacy, e.g., documenting evictions, performing rapid needs assessments after acute crises, community profiling, and monitoring community development indicators. The training materials contain instructions for the training facilitator(s) and all necessary training materials. To ensure inclusivity, the training covers both basic and advanced topics, with most modules designed to address basic needs that can be followed using a mobile phone, thereby avoiding the need for computers or printed handouts. The training results in Nigeria and Kenya showcase applications, including mapping waste problems and addressing forced evictions. Trained community groups produced maps of waste piles to prioritize community actions, such as finding space for urban agriculture, and conducted rapid needs assessments during a massive eviction. This approach helps reduce power imbalances and empowers community groups to effectively manage and utilise their own data.