This project, directed by Wolfgang Fengler, World Data Laboratory (WDL), seeks to deliver a comprehensive support and mentorship program to Templeton World Charity Foundation’s Individual Freedom & Free Markets (IFFM) grantees and participants of the Atlas Network’s Regional Liberty Forums (RLFs). The program will include training sessions focused on how its participants can collect, analyze, and present data in a way that reinforces the messaging of their research findings. 

This program, designed to enhance the attendees' skills in research design, data science, and economics, aims to enable the attendees to leverage data-driven analysis to communicate their findings credibly and compellingly — an essential capability for influencing decision-makers. 

WDL will collaborate with their partners at the Vienna University of Economics and Business to ensure the training sessions are delivered in an engaging, interactive, and efficient manner.

In-person training sessions are planned at each of the three upcoming annual RLF events organized by the Atlas Network, in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. WDL also plans to conduct four virtual training sessions on the same topics throughout 2025. The virtual sessions will primarily be for grantees that are unable to attend the in-person events and they will be recorded so they can be reviewed at the convenience of grantees.

WDL aims to provide 50 hrs of bespoke support including mentorship and individual research planning assistance  from WDL’s team of data scientists and economists to 10 IFFM grantees with the most significant need throughout 2025.

Full annual access to WDL’s impact-oriented data tools, including the World Emissions Clock, World Poverty Clock, Internet Poverty Index, Africa Youth Employment Clock, will be provided to the grantees. WDL also plans to grant up to 25 individuals full access to its global consumer spending platform, World Data Pro.