Digital Public Goods

Digital Public Goods stand at the intersection of technology and sustainable development. Born from the recognition that digital solutions can accelerate progress toward global challenges, DPGs provide accessible tools for those who need them most, particularly in resource-constrained environments.

What are Digital Public Goods?

Digital Public Goods are open-source solutions that meet specific standards established by the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA), a UN-endorsed initiative. The DPGA defines DPGs as “open-source software, open data, open AI models, and open content collections” that support the Sustainable Development Goals.

These digital solutions take various forms:

• Software applications for service delivery
• Data sets and databases for evidence-based decisions
• AI models and training data for advanced problem-solving
• Standards and protocols for system integration
• Content collections for knowledge sharing

To earn DPG certification, a solution must meet several criteria:

1. Use an approved open license that permits free access and modification
2. Demonstrate clear ownership with comprehensive documentation
3. Function independently of specific platforms or proprietary technologies
4. Show relevance to one or more Sustainable Development Goals
5. Implement privacy protections and security best practices
6. Apply ethical standards in data collection and use

Key Characteristics

Openness and Accessibility

DPGs break down barriers to technology adoption through their open approach. Unlike proprietary solutions, they allow users to freely access, modify, and redistribute the technology without restrictive licensing fees.

The OpenSPP demonstrates this principle by providing governments with a social protection platform they can adapt to local needs without vendor lock-in. Governments retain full control over their systems while benefiting from proven technology.

Quality Standards

DPGs aren’t just open—they’re built to last. Quality DPGs feature:

• Robust privacy safeguards and security measures
• Platform independence for deployment flexibility
• Clear documentation for implementation and adaptation
• Active communities that maintain and improve the code

The Digital Public Goods Alliance maintains a registry of verified DPGs that meet these quality benchmarks, ensuring governments and organizations can confidently adopt solutions that won’t compromise user data or create new vulnerabilities.

Social Impact Focus

What truly distinguishes DPGs is their orientation toward solving pressing global challenges. Each DPG addresses specific issues tied to the Sustainable Development Goals—whether improving healthcare delivery, expanding financial inclusion, or strengthening climate resilience.

Beyond solving immediate problems, DPGs help build local capacity. When communities implement open-source solutions, they gain skills and knowledge that extend beyond the specific technology, creating lasting value.

Real-World Examples

DHIS2 (District Health Information System)

DHIS2 has transformed health information management across the Global South. This open-source platform helps countries collect, analyze, and visualize health data, supporting everything from routine health services to pandemic response.

More than 73 countries have deployed DHIS2 as their health information system, including many that used it to track COVID-19 cases and vaccination efforts. Its flexible design allows health ministries to adapt it to local needs while maintaining data standards that enable cross-border health information sharing.

Primero

Developed to protect vulnerable children in crisis settings, Primero helps social workers and child protection agencies manage cases, track services, and coordinate care. The platform prioritizes safety and confidentiality while connecting children with essential support services.

UNICEF has deployed Primero in over 50 countries and territories, supporting thousands of frontline workers. During conflict and displacement, the system helps reunite separated families and ensures children receive appropriate care.

OpenSPP (Open source Social Protection Platform)

This suite of tools helps governments design and deliver social protection programs like cash transfers, food assistance, and social services. OpenSPP enables transparent beneficiary management, payment tracking, and program evaluation.

Several countries have implemented OpenSPP components to strengthen their social safety nets, making welfare systems more responsive to community needs while reducing administrative costs and improving accountability.

Challenges and Considerations

Sustainable Funding

Even with open-source models, DPGs require resources for ongoing development, maintenance, and support. Finding sustainable funding mechanisms remains challenging, especially as projects scale beyond initial grant funding.

Some successful DPGs have developed hybrid models that combine donor support with service fees, creating sustainable operations without compromising the core open-source nature of the technology.

Implementation Complexity

Technical solutions alone rarely solve complex development challenges. DPGs need careful implementation planning that considers:

• Building local technical capacity
• Integrating with existing systems
• Adapting to contextual realities
• Managing organizational change

Success stories like Estonia’s X-Road data exchange layer show that implementation quality often matters more than the technology itself.

Digital Inclusion

Without thoughtful design and deployment, digital solutions can inadvertently exclude marginalized groups. Digital literacy barriers, device access limitations, and connectivity challenges can limit who benefits from DPGs.

The DPG Charter, developed through global consultations in 2022, emphasizes that digital infrastructure must prioritize inclusion—with interfaces designed for diverse users and offline functionality for areas with limited connectivity.

Connection to Other Concepts

The concept of Digital Public Goods connects to several related digital development areas:

• Digital Public Infrastructure: DPGs often serve as building blocks for national digital infrastructure, providing essential components like identity systems and payment rails
• Open Standards: These specifications enable DPGs to connect and share data, creating interoperable systems rather than isolated solutions
• Digital Commons: The broader ecosystem that includes governance models, communities, and knowledge around shared digital resources
• Open Source: The foundational philosophy that promotes collaboration, transparency, and shared ownership of technology

Further Resources

1. Digital Public Goods Alliance - The definitive source for standards, certification, and a registry of approved DPGs
2. UNICEF’s Innovation Fund - Supports early-stage development of DPGs focused on children’s needs
3. DPG Standard - Detailed certification criteria and evaluation process
4. DPG Charter - Principles for safe and inclusive digital public infrastructure