BRIDGE - Civic

The Challenge: Bridging the Civic Data Divide

Typically, civic data holds the potential to empower communities, enhance transparency, and strengthen local democracy. Yet at every stage of the data lifecycle especially in Philadelphia—from creation to access to meaningful use—barriers persist that limit how residents and civic actors can engage with public information. Specific barriers across each stage of the data lifecycle include:

Philadelphia faces barriers at every stage of the civic data journey. Data is often created in silos, using inconsistent standards that make it difficult to connect across departments. Even when data is available, much of it is inaccessible—only 60% of key datasets are public, and many are in formats too complex for most users. As a result, community organizations, journalists, and residents struggle to use data effectively. Without the right tools or support, valuable information remains out of reach, limiting civic participation, accountability, and equitable decision-making.

This lack of data impacts the level of democracy and trust exhibited by residents towards their government. With only 35% of Philadelphia residents believing their government is "often or always accountable," these data barriers directly contribute to:

• Eroding trust in local institutions
• Reinforcing inequities in policymaking across housing, public safety, and city services
• Diminishing meaningful civic participation, particularly in historically marginalized communities

The Solution: BRIDGE-Civic

BRIDGE-Civic—Bridging Resources and Integrating Datasets to Guide Evidence-Based Change and Accountability—is more than just a data platform. It’s a reimagined civic infrastructure built to reconnect Philadelphia’s residents, journalists, and community leaders with the data they need to shape an accountable, inclusive, and responsive city.

At its core, BRIDGE-Civic aims to:

1. Centralize and Democratize Data: BRIDGE-Civic will serve as a one-stop civic data hub, aggregating city datasets alongside community-collected information from neighborhood organizations. From housing metrics to education outcomes to economic indicators, the platform will offer structured, searchable, and regularly refreshed datasets—laying the groundwork for future inclusion of sensitive administrative data.
2. Empower Users with Interpretive Tools: Journalists, community leaders, and policymakers will be supported with ready-to-use visualizations, including maps, dashboards, and trend graphs. Specialized training programs will help analyze and communicate complex data responsibly - strengthening Philadelphia's capacity for informed decision-making and accountability.
3. Offer Personalized Data Support: A dedicated data concierge service will assist organizations and individuals in:
   1. Navigating complex or incomplete datasets
   2. Crafting effective public records requests
   3. Developing powerful data-informed narratives for advocacy and change

Built on R.E.A.L. Principles

Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, BRIDGE-Civic is grounded in four core principles—R.E.A.L.—that guide both its development and long-term operation. These principles ensure the platform remains impactful, equitable, and responsive to Philadelphia’s evolving civic landscape.

Co-creating BRIDGE-Civic

Whether you're a community advocate, policymaker, technologist, researcher, or funder—there are multiple ways to shape the future of BRIDGE – Civic. No matter your role or the scale at which you operate, your contributions can help build a more transparent, accessible, and equitable data ecosystem for Philadelphia. Some specific ways through which you could support this initiave include:

• Contribute Feature Ideas: Are you a frequent data user? Help us design a platform that meets real-world needs by sharing insights on features, tools, or functionalities that would empower your work. To join, please fill this form. 

• Share Your Data: Are you a data creator? If you are interested in understanding more on how you could share your datasets to be hosted on the platform, expanding access and increasing visibility for your work, please fill this form. 

• Provide Strategic Input: Offer high-level feedback on the platform’s direction, priorities, and partnerships to ensure alignment with community and civic goals. If interested, please email [email protected] and [email protected].  

• Support Financially: Invest in building civic infrastructure by contributing funding or helping us connect with aligned philanthropic partners. If interested, please email [email protected].