CKAN Association

The CKAN Association, established in 2014, manages and oversees the CKAN project, supporting the growth of CKAN, its community and stakeholders. Key aspects of the Association are:

A Steering Group and Advisory Group which oversee the project and represent stakeholders.
Specific teams to look after particular areas such as a “Technical Team” to oversee technical development and a “Community and Communications team” to oversee materials (including project website) and drive community engagement
A Membership program for organizations and individuals to participate in CKAN and contribute to its long-term sustainability

The Association has its formal institutional home at the Open Knowledge Foundation but is autonomous and has its own independent governance, in the form the Steering Group which is drawn from major CKAN stakeholders. The Open Knowledge Foundation, who are the original creators of CKAN, will continue to contribute to CKAN at all levels but the Association allows others – from government users to suppliers of CKAN services – to have a formal role in the development of the CKAN project going forward.

Membership

CKAN Association membership is a way for individuals, companies and organisations to support the CKAN Project and be recognised for doing so. By becoming a member you are helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of CKAN.

Members are expected to contribute resources – either through contributing money or providing in-kind resources such as staff time. Members receive recognition for their contribution through display on the website, participation in events etc.

See the Members page for more details including the Membership tiers.

Organization and Structure

Steering Group

This will be made out of the key stakeholders who have committed to oversee and steer the CKAN Association going forward. See the Steering Group page for more information.

Technical Team

The technical team are the “official committers” for the CKAN software and related technologies. See the Technical Team page for more information.

Community and Communications Team

The community and communications team manage engagement, promotion and outreach around CKAN. See the Community and Communication Team page for more details.

Advisory Group

The Advisory Group members are representatives of organizations and companies that support CKAN.

While the Advisory Group does not have decision-making authority for the CKAN Association, its members communicate with the Steering Group and help it guide the overall direction of CKAN and the CKAN Association.

The Group meets regularly on the phone and at least once a year in person, usually at OKFestival. The aim of these meetings is to

Understand the Advisory Group’s needs, and express them to the community.
Express the community’s needs to the Advisory Group, especially when it’s something they can help with.
Get feedback from the Advisory Board on our plans.

Note: usually to be a member of the Advisory Board, an organization must be a Gold member (or if less than 30 employees Silver Member). This requirement may be waived for invited non-profit organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CKAN Association a legal entity?

What “Assets” does the Association have responsibility for?

Does the CKAN Association have dedicated staff?

Who Will Oversee and Set the CKAN Technical Roadmap

The CKAN Technical Roadmap will be overseen and controlled by the Technical Team. The Steering Group help steer and oversee the overall project but do not have any direct input to the Roadmap as that is owned by the Technical Team.