Alaveteli

Alaveteli is a free and open-source web application platform designed to help citizens make Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to public authorities and to publish the responses online. It acts as an intermediary between citizens and authorities, simplifying the FOI process for both parties.

Functionality:

Alaveteli facilitates the entire FOI request lifecycle:

• Request Submission: Users can easily submit FOI requests to public authorities through a web interface, guided by prompts and helpful information.
• Request Routing: Alaveteli automatically routes the requests to the appropriate authority based on pre-configured data.
• Request Tracking: Users can track the status of their requests and receive notifications about updates.
• Response Publication: Once an authority responds, the response is automatically published online on the Alaveteli website.
• Public Archive: All requests and responses are stored in a searchable public archive, making information accessible to everyone.

Key Features:

• Transparency: By publishing all requests and responses online, Alaveteli promotes transparency and accountability in government.
• Accessibility: The platform makes it easier for citizens to exercise their right to access information.
• Efficiency: Alaveteli streamlines the FOI process, saving time and resources for both citizens and authorities.
• Open Source: As an open-source project, Alaveteli is freely available for anyone to use, adapt, and contribute to.
• Customization: Alaveteli can be customized to meet the specific needs of different countries and jurisdictions.

Uses and Implementations:

Alaveteli has been deployed in numerous countries around the world under different names, tailored to local FOI laws and languages. These implementations are often referred to as "FOI portals." They provide a valuable resource for journalists, researchers, activists, and the general public seeking information from public bodies.

Origins and Development:

Alaveteli was originally developed by MySociety, a UK-based non-profit organization that builds digital tools to empower citizens.