ESSnet on the use of administrative data for business statistics: How to make collaboration between MSs work Alison Pritchard Economic Surveys Division, ONS, UK 28 October 2011

Outline of the Presentation Setting up the partnership Establishing the Work package teams Co-ordination group Co-ordinator’s role Common interests

Setting up the partnership Eurostat set up a Task Force involving all interested MSs. Agreeing the Workpackages (WPs); Finding out who wanted to work on each WP; Time and money are needed, as all this work has to be done before the FPA is signed and is therefore not eligible for Eurostat co-funding; More recently, some ESSnets have sorted out these issues during their first SGA period.

Establishing the Work package teams Differences in expertise Differences in experience Differences in available staff Kick-off meetings Choose staff who are able and willing to travel abroad for meetings Useful to retain the same people over the whole ESSnet, as much as possible

The role of the Co-ordination Group Each WP leader Each country co-ordinator Eurostat also a member Meetings initially 4 times a year, now 3 times Chaired by Eurostat or ONS senior staff Management Agreement

The Co-ordinator’s role - Technical Applying for the SGA: Do each WP’s plans fit with what is required by the FPA. If not, can the change be justified? Ensuring the terms of each SGA are complied with: Are the deliverables going to be ready on time? Will they be of sufficient quality to satisfy Eurostat? Preparing interim and final reports Relationship between Co-ordinator and each Work package leader is critical.

The Co-ordinator’s role - Budgetary Applying for the SGA: Do the budgets of the co-partners agree? Is there sufficient co-funding for all the co-partners? Ensuring the out-turn is in line with the budget: Collecting T&S receipts and other evidence Reviewing quarterly reports of the working hours of each member of staff on each Work package Preparing interim and final Reports Relationship between ESSnet Co-ordinator and each Country Co-ordinator is critical.

Common interests An ESSnet will operate successfully, only if all the co-partners and Eurostat share the following:- Common interests in achieving the aims of the ESSnet; Mutual respect and trust; Realistic plans; Openness about problems within NSIs which threaten delivery of some of the ESSnet’s aims;

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