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# The World Bank Just Open-Sourced a Powerful Metadata Tool
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/world-bank-metadata-tool/
- Published: 2025-05-30T10:46:05.000Z
- Updated: 2025-06-01T11:13:03.000Z
- Description: A new open source tool from the World Bank.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Open Source, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

Known for providing loans, grants, and advisory services to developing countries, the [World Bank](https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/home?ref=itsfoss.com) is an influential international financial institution that focuses on reducing poverty, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable economic growth.

To achieve said goals, the World Bank works closely with governments, civil society, and the private sector to strategize, design, and fund development projects across diverse fields.

A [recent announcement](https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/opening-code--opening-access--the-world-bank-s-first-open-source?ref=itsfoss.com) sees them venture into the open source space with Metadata Editor, an internal tool of theirs.

## Metadata Editor: What to Expect?

![metadata editor dashboard view with some dummy data in it](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/05/metadata-editor.png)

**Source: World Bank*

As a web-based tool, Metadata Editor **helps users create and manage metadata**, the detailed information that describes [datasets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data%5Fset?ref=itsfoss.com). Using it ensures that data is well documented, making it easier for anyone to understand, share, and reuse.

Open sourced under the [MIT License](https://opensource.org/license/mit?ref=itsfoss.com), Metadata Editor was originally created to help World Bank teams manage statistical metadata in line with their [Development Data Quality Policy](https://policies.worldbank.org/en/policies/all/ppfdetail/de65051a-a1ee-410e-aba8-9c302f59be2f?ref=itsfoss.com).

Soon after, they realized that the tool had much more potential beyond their use cases, as others showed interest in adopting and adapting it for their own data documentation needs.

Two organizations, [PARIS21](https://www.paris21.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) and [INEGI](https://en.www.inegi.org.mx/?ref=itsfoss.com), have already joined up with the World Bank to collaborate on improving and expanding the Metadata Editor, helping adapt the tool for wider use.

Currently, it supports metadata standards like:

- [IPTC](https://iptc.org/standards/photo-metadata/iptc-standard/?ref=itsfoss.com)
- [ISO 19139](https://www.iso.org/standard/67253.html?ref=itsfoss.com)
- [Dublin Core](https://www.dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/?ref=itsfoss.com)
- [DDI-CodeBook v2.5](https://ddialliance.org/ddi-codebook%5Fv2.5?ref=itsfoss.com)

This release is underpinned by a new [institutional licensing framework](https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/f1082a4b300f5b83557f2608fa3f9004-0090012025/original/Opening-the-Code-FINAL.pdf?ref=itsfoss.com) that enables the World Bank to share software developed through public funding while maintaining its unique legal protections.

During the announcement, World Bank stated that:

> Until now, the Bank’s ability to release software was limited by legal and procedural complexity. Each release required custom legal terms and ad hoc reviews. The new licensing framework replaces that model with a clear, repeatable structure—enabling more teams to share tools openly, efficiently, and at scale.

> To ensure implementation is consistent and sustainable, the Bank’s Open Source Program Office (OSPO) ([github@worldbank.org](mailto:github@worldbank.org)) provides support for internal teams releasing software.

### Want to Check it Out?

You will find both the [source code](https://github.com/worldbank/metadata-editor?ref=itsfoss.com) and [documentation](https://worldbank.github.io/metadata-editor-docs/?ref=itsfoss.com) for Metadata Editor on GitHub. There are detailed instructions on how to install, configure, and customize the tool to fit different organizational needs.

[Metadata Editor](https://github.com/worldbank/metadata-editor?ref=itsfoss.com)

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