1. Proposal for setting up a RDG Task Force on Cooperation Models
Cristina Pereira de Sá, Eurostat ESS RDG 2014 Item 4
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

2. Internal Eurostat Task Force
Why cooperating within the ESS?
To improve efficiency by saving resources and reducing burden
To increase partnership by sharing know-how and best practices
To improve effectiveness by sharing work and tasks
To reduce costs by using the latest technological developments (data clouds, big data…)
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

3. Internal Eurostat Task Force
Challenges:
Sustainability
Property rights/confidentiality
Subsidiarity
Exchange of human resources
Financing
Legal issues
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

4. Issue paper on operational networks (1)
Definition:
A typical operational network includes activities (regular operations part of the normal statistical production process) at country level, in each country.
The corresponding operations at EU level include the final stages in the production as well as services provided to the whole network: these are assigned to a central team.
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

5. Issue paper on operational networks (2)
Options for governance:
Informal network without financing
Informal network with financing
Formal network structured around an ESS member
Formal network around a legal entity established by the ESS
Formal network around an executive agency
All these options have different legal implications
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

6. Issue paper on operational networks (3)
Options for sustainability:
Strongest option: creation of legal basis
Decentralised agency: does not address inter-NSI cooperation
European Consortium: are NSIs ready to lead?
Public/private partnership: would raise issues of ownership and access to data
ESS agreement: political commitment
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

7. Issue paper on operational networks (4)
Options for financing:
Specific grant agreements: not appropriate to enter into a binding long-term commitment as the need for a network might evolve or even disappear over time; also, depends on budget availability.
Framework partnership agreement: allows for flexibility (coupled with specific grant agreements) and can be aligned to the duration of the ESP. Need to couple with ESS agreement.
Procurement: limited to 4 years
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

8. Issue paper on operational networks (5)
Lessons from the past:
Possible without financing when costs are low or there is strong benefit to NSIs.
It is essential to finance work of NSI on behalf of others.
No experience of networks involving transfer of data between NSIs
Procurement: not all NSIs are willing to participate in open calls for tender.
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

9. Issue paper on operational networks (6)
Possible ways forward:
New entities need an explicit legal basis, but models with a dedicated legal entity are new for the ESS.
Preferred: formal structure based on multilateral agreements with all (or most) NSIs.
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

10. Issue paper on a governance model for Centres of Excellence (1)
Criteria for centres of excellence:
Contribute to achieving the objectives of the ESP
Serve the ESS as a whole
The domain of activity should be linked to the output of development projects and concern skills which are unevenly distributed
Activities could include maintenance of systems or repositories, training, consultancy…
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

11. Issue paper on a governance model for Centres of Excellence (2)
Criteria for sustainable governance:
Long-term commitment from partners to co- finance
Long-term commitment to from partners to provide human resources
Long-term commitment from others to use services provided
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

12. Issue paper on a governance model for Centres of Excellence (3)
Way forward:
ESS agreement for each CoE (or for the whole programme?)
Framework Partnership Agreement (flexible, can be aligned to the ESP, but ESS agreement recommended)
Need for legal basis to be sustainable
Assessment of the outputs + corrective action
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

13. Proposal for an RDG Task Force on Cooperation Models
What for?
To examine and develop the building blocks for cooperation within the ESS
To reflect on options for financing (sharing of funding, no funding…)
To reflect on legal issues (need for legal basis, subsidiarity, access to confidential data…)
ESS RDG 13 June 2014

14. Proposal for an RDG Task Force on Cooperation Models
Work modalities:
To meet back-to-back with the RDG + virtually
To submit a report to RDG: proposals for cooperation building blocks, roadmap for implementation, risk analysis
To present its work to the ESSC for decision
ESS RDG 13 June 2014