Civic Data Cooperative (CDC)
The Liverpool City Region Civic Data Cooperative (CDC) was established in 2020 by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the University of Liverpool to improve how civic data is used to support the health, wellbeing and prosperity of local communities.
Over a five‑year programme, the CDC built a pioneering model of secure data infrastructure, problem‑led innovation, and participatory data stewardship, strengthening the region’s ability to use data and AI responsibly to improve people’s lives.
Our Approach
The CDC based its work on three interconnected strands, each essential to mobilising civic data as a shared community asset:
- Technical Infrastructure – Exploring what we can do with data and research
Building secure, privacy‑preserving environments to enable high‑quality, responsible use of data for research, service improvement and public benefit.
- Public Service Innovation – Imagining better services and solutions with data
Working with public services, residents, researchers and businesses to co‑design data‑enabled solutions to real‑world challenges.
- Public Participation – Engaging communities on how they want data to be used
Embedding meaningful public voice, ensuring communities shape how data and AI are governed, accessed and applied.
Together, these strands enabled the CDC to support evidence‑informed decisions across health, social care, local government, and civic organisations; always rooted in public benefit.
The Future
As programme funding concludes in 2026, the CDC’s mission continues through CHIL and the new LCR Civic HealthTech Innovation Zone, ensuring long‑term stewardship of civic data and continuity for research, public engagement and responsible AI development.
The LCR Community Charter on Data and AI will remain central to this work, embedding public voice, transparency and accountability into future projects.
