MEDSTAT MGSC March 2015 Point 3.3 of the Agenda Christophe INGELS DG NEAR Regional programmes Neighbourhood South 1

Objectives and purposes to promote evidence-based decision-making and to foster democratic development by improving the availability and use of statistical data in the nine ENPI South countries 1) to provide users with more and better data in the priority thematic sectors 2) to increase the use of these data 2

The expected results of the project are: - a measurable improvement in the statistical capacities of the NSIs and the NSSs, - a strengthening of the institutional capacities of the NSIs and NSSs, including improved cooperation within the countries themselves, - further harmonisation of statistical data, in line with European and international standards, - a promotion of regional exchange of experiences and cooperation, - a more user-friendly dissemination of statistics, and - a better understanding and an increased awareness of the importance of statistics by the users (politicians, governments, administration, private sector, journalists, universities, civil society, EU bodies, international institutions). 3

Conclusions : Producers/Users MEDSTAT III had to promote the use of data by a wide range of stakeholders, some of them of particular importance because of the role they play in the policy making process -MEDSTAT III heavily favoured Government agencies/ministries -The media were never involved in MEDSTAT III activities -Not enough visibility and outreach 4

Conclusions : Linkages with other EU programmes MEDSTAT activities address the design of statistical products with emphasis on harmonisation with EU and international standards. MEDSTAT teaches us that establishing synergy with other EU projects and programmes can improve data production and use of data. (Most of the themes are high in the Neighbourhood agenda list: Migration, Energy, Transport, Labour… and benefit from specific EU funded programmes) 5

Conclusions : South-South cooperation One of the main successes of MEDSTAT was to foster networking and exchange between the partners themselves A trend that should be maintained if not developed That means Med countries have sufficient experience to benefit from each other. 6

Recommendations for National Statistics System A lack of appreciation in most ENP South countries of ‘the critical importance of evidence based decision making for good governance’ results in poor National Statistic System coordination Promote an appreciation of the critical importance of evidence based decision making for good governance Use the principles of the Code of Practice to bolster the position of the National Statistical Institutes and to revive the National Statistical Councils 7

Recommendation on WGs set up - To be flexible and open to new groups, recognising the limitation in terms of funding - To find interaction between the WGs and even to merge some or develop crosscutting activities - Business registers as building blocks to link up the different thematic areas - Open participation in the WG to Professional data users involved in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership 8

Recommendations on management Appoint a unique KE ("Animateur") for MEDSTAT IV to support the Working Groups with a clear commitment to the self-sustainability of the Working Groups’ leaders Use more often videoconference for WGs 9

Recommendations on implementation Seek synergies with bilateral (and regional) projects and programmes. (strategies for the development of such synergies should be included in the WG action plans) Involve more experts from the partner countries for performing the activities Reflect more on partner countries experience and case studies during meeting/workshops 10

Recommendations on training Constitute a group of senior experts-trainers Relate training subjects to innovative matters (only, no basic topics) Cautiously select and follow up trainees (right profile and dissemination) Partnership with existing training institutions (AITRS or INSEA) Develop e-learning 11

Our conclusion Improvement in quality along with approximation with EU norms still a valid objective In addition integration as much as possible with other EU thematic programmes, Increase the focus on user needs! 12