Statistics Sweden Sida funded projects in the Western Balkans Fredrik Bood Chief Advisor Balkan Project Office

How we work Our services are based on the idea of long-term institutional cooperation. The means are missions, workshops and training courses by short term experts primarely from Statistics Sweden. Key for success is having resident Long Term Advisors preferbly stationed in the NSI. We work on commission with funding from international development agencies and other actors. However, our main source of funding comes from Sida.

Sida and Statistics Sweden Sida has a framework agreement with Statistics Sweden based on uniqueness, meaning, no one else in Sweden are considered to be able to provide the same services. Sida provides funds for us for technical support to capacity building. Sida doesn’t need to procure the service in competition. We don’t have to compete with other providers in a competion.

Beneficiary countries Bilateral projects Albania (2001 – 2017) Kosovo (2001 – 2017) Serbia (2004 – November 2016) Regional project (2004 – June 2017) Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia Montenegro Serbia

Added value of the Regional project The added value of the Regional project is the sharing of experience between NSIs with common problems and similar context. More developed NSIs in the region support less developed NSIs by providing local experts for workshops and training courses. Engaging the NSIs in the implemention of the regional project is key to sustainability and also an expected outcome of the project.

Some selected results Developed capacity to fill out the Joint Inland Water Questionnaire Basic training in Survey methodology for young statisticians. 120 statistician trained so far. The yearly Summer School have improved participants’ English skills. Increased capacity to conduct Time Use Surveys. In Serbia a full scale TUS was conducted in 2010 and a light TUS 2015. Women and Men booklets produced regularly by all beneficiary countries. Sound knowledge base to conduct the Structure of Earnings Survey. Serbia and Montenegro are conducting the survey.

Some selected results (cont.) BiH conducts the Labour Cost Survey and submits data to Eurostat INSTAT is fully sustainable in calculating CPI, IMPI, CCI, and SPI. INSTAT have implemented a Quality declaration template following EU standards. SORS submits Material Flow Account data to Eurostat. KAS has launched a new web site. A major step forward for communication with users. A time reporting system has been introduced at KAS allowing the management to follow up and reallocate resources.

Future plans - Regional New project phase 2018 – 2020. Last phase. The Balkan Project Office will be closed and the project will be managed from Stockholm with a locally recruited liaison officer placed somewhere in the region. Smaller project in terms of money. Focus on Survey methodology including registers and a continuation of the Summer School. Having a management component is also under consideration.

Future plans Albania New project phase 2018 – 2020. Focus will probably be on: Management and communication, Making data production more efficient by scrutinising the current modes of data production and use of administrative registers. Paving the way for INSTAT to continue to train its own staff and other producers and users of statistics in a training centre under development and funded by Sida.

Future plans - Kosovo New project phase 2018 – 2020. Jointly funded by Sida and EU with Statistics Sweden as implementing agency. Focus will be on: Economic statistics (e.g. National Accounts) Social statistics including SILC and labour market statistics.