Apps4Russia is a contest that's been initiated by Ivan Begtin, founder of OpenGovData.ru and a member of the Open Knowledge Foundation's (OKF) Working Group on Open Government Data.

The contest welcomes web and application developers to create projects based on the foundation of using open government data for public benefit and nurturing more transparency in government.

It is great to see an increased engagement with data in countries around the world.  Again, we in the NGO sector need to be thinking seriously about how our data is included in these sets so that they are a part of the apps and a part of the useage and decision-making around them.

Marnie Webb, Co-CEO of TechSoup Global, Apps4Russia is looking for a few good ideas

Projects may be submitted in a variety of forms including desktop, mobile or web based application. Please note your project should not be associated with any political party or movement.

The contest offers prizes to the top three projects including a first place prize of 100 thousand rubles. Apps4Russia is already underway (having kicked off on June 30st 2011) and will run until October 1st 2011. The winning ideas selected will be announced on October 15th 2011.

Apps4Russia is a great example of what countries can achieve by calling for action through the use of open data to address local issues, encourage change and unleash solutions to common problems.

Learn more about Apps4Russia in Russian or English
Have an idea to submit? You can submit an application here