What is statistical capacity? What is the level of statistical capacity? What is National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS)? What does a good NSDS look like? What is STATCAP and how can I make use of it? Can I get a grant to support statistical capacity improvement? What is the Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics (MAPS)? What is Paris21? Whom can I contact for more information?
What is statistical capacity?
Broadly, this is the ability of a country or an organization to produce and disseminate data that are “fit for purpose”. Statistical capacity is determined by many factors, including the institutional and legal environment for collecting and disseminating data; the availability of resources; the relationships between data producers and data users; the effectiveness of prioritization processes; technical skills and knowledge; and the use of accepted methodological standards. The World Bank’s Development Data Group manages a database that helps understand the statistical capacity of client countries. To access the database, click on www.worldbank.org/data/countrydata/csid.html.
What is the statistical capacity level of a country? The statistical capacity of a country can be measured in many different ways because of its multi-faceted nature. However, to facilitate broad comparisons and to monitor global progress in improving statistical capacity, the World Bank’s Development Data Group calculates a summary measure based on three key aspects of statistical capacity: statistical practice, data collection, and indicator availability. To access these summary scores and the methods used to calculate them, click on www.worldbank.org/data/countrydata/csid.html. What is a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS)? An NSDS is a national strategy for strengthening statistical capacity across the entire national statistical system (NSS), which normally includes a central statistical office or agency and statistical units of other government departments . An NSDS provides the vision for where the NSS should be in five to ten years, and sets milestones for getting there. NSDSs normally present a comprehensive and unified assessment of evolving needs and priorities for statistics, and propose choices for meeting these needs in a coordinated and efficient manner. They usually provide a costed and time-bound plan for improving national statistical capacity, which is used to mobilize resources (both through national budgets and development assistance programs) and to manage the development process. An NSDS should serve as a framework for national development and for international and bilateral assistance. What does a good NSDS look like? No two countries will have the same NSDS – form and content depends on factors such as the administrative structure of government, the level of existing statistical capacity, and the resources available to sustain a statistical system. But good NSDSs have some common features: They are part of or consistent with national development policy processes and contexts (e.g. Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers); They have political support and commitment championed by high-level national official(s); They are outcomes of consultation and consensus-building among key stakeholders; They set an agreed vision of what government and other stakeholders expect from the statistical system at a particular point in the future, and provide strategic actions to achieve the goal; They incorporate result-based management principle in their implementation plan; Their values, principles, and technical standards follow international recommendations and experience; They are concerned with the whole national statistical system (NSS) including all data processes (collection, analysis, dissemination and use), all key producers (central statistical office and statistical units of other agencies), and the mechanism for coordination among them; They are demand-focused responding to needs and priorities of the government and the other stakeholders; They are based on the assessment of the current status of the NSS and build on existing activities and processes; They are realistic and prioritized taking into consideration available funds and absorptive capacity; They have a concrete implementation plan with a timetable, deliverables, and a financing plan; and They include a plan to monitor progress and update or adopt the strategy.
For more information, see NSDS guide prepared by PARIS21. What is STATCAP and how can I make use of it? STATCAPis a financing program designed to make investments in statistical capacity easier and more effective. Technically, it is a multi-country “horizontal” Adaptable Program Loan (APL), which was approved by the Bank’s Board in March 2004. Under STATCAP, countries will obtain separate loans, credits, or grants (if the country’s IDA envelop consists of grants) to finance the improvement of statistical capacity through an investment project, which will be appraised and prepared for approval at regional Vice President level following normal World Bank provisions for investment lending. The principle is that large-scale statistical capacity building projects are essentially very similar in nature from country to country – investments are usually needed to improve institutional capacity, to improve statistical infrastructure (such as classifications and sampling frames), and to improve physical working conditions, including through the use of information technology. The cornerstone of a STATCAP project is the National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDS), prepared through consultation with both data providers and data users. Work to develop a NSDS may be financed through a grant from the Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building (TFSCB). A STATCAP project may concentrate on improvements in one or more particular sectors, or it may take a comprehensive approach, provided that work is done within the framework of the NSDS. To support a long-term approach, countries may implement several linked projects, with the completion of the first serving as the trigger for the next, and with agreed mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation and appropriate indicators of success. Preparation of project documentation, including the Project Appraisal Document (PAD) will normally be based on the content of the NSDS. The NSDS should provide the rationale for the proposed investment, and essential background information, including a medium-term action plan with yearly budgeting, a road map, and a timetable. Procurement and financial management arrangements can be adapted from generic arrangements agreed within the program. Can I get a grant to support statistical capacity improvement? Yes. The Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building (TFSCB) provides grants of up to $400,000 for improving statistical capacity. Proposals for projects may originate from a number of different sources, including staff from national statistical agencies and other actors in national statistical system; and staff and/or consultants from donor agencies working with national agencies and concerned with statistical development. Applications should be prepared using a standard format and should follow the TFSCB Guidelines and Procedures. However it is strongly recommended that agencies interested in preparing an application contact the TFSCB Administration Unit or the local World Bank office at an early stage. Project proposals that support the preparation of a NSDS or a plan to implement an NSDS can be submitted at any time and are reviewed immediately. Review of all other project proposals is dependent on the availability of funds; normally, the Chair of the Internal Management Committee (IMC) of the Fund announces a call for proposals twice a year, around March/April and September/October . Proposals submitted to these “windows” are reviewed simultaneously by the IMC and are approved based on the quality of the proposal, the extent to which it meets TFSCB criteria, and the availability of funds. What is the Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics (MAPS)? MAPS is a set of six key actions to improve development statistics through improvements in both national and international statistical systems. It was agreed at the Second Roundtable on Measuring for Development Results in February 2004 and is broadly supported by organizations and countries across the world. National actions are: Mainstream strategic planning of statistical systems and prepare national statistical development strategies (NSDS) for all low-income countries by 2006; Ensure full participation of developing countries in the 2010 census round; and Increase financing for statistical capacity building.
International actions are: Set up an International Household Survey Network; Undertake urgent improvements needed for monitoring the Millennium Development Goals and other development goals; and Increase accountability of the international statistical system. MAPS implementation relies on partnership activities among developing countries, development banks, donors, statistical agencies world wide, and UN agencies.
An Advisory Board has been set up to guide MAPS strategies and to promote coordination among implementing agencies. Taking the actions recommended by MAPS at national level is estimated to cost an additional $118m per year, over and above existing levels of support. At international level, an estimated $24-28m is needed. For more information, click on www.worldbank.org/data/action. What is PARIS21? The Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century(PARIS21) is an international partnership of policymakers, analysts, and statisticians from all countries of the world who are interested in promoting high-quality statistics, making these data meaningful, and designing sound policies. It was established in November 1999 in response to the UN Economic and Social Council resolution on the goals of the UN Conference on Development to act as a catalyst for promoting a culture of evidence-based policymaking and monitoring in all countries, and especially in developing countries. Its role is to foster effective dialogue among those who produce development statistics and those who use them through facilitating international events, supporting country-based activities, regional workshops, and subject matter task teams. PARIS21 is serviced by a small secretariat hosted by the Development Co-operation Directorate in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, France. The work of the partnership is guided by a steering committee with representatives of developing and transition countries from each region of the world, bilateral donors, and the partnership's founding institutions: the OECD, World Bank, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and the European Commission. For more information, visit www.paris21.org. Whom can I contact for more information? For Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building (TFSCB), contact Mustafa Dinc (mdinc@worldbank.org, 202-473-6233) For STATCAP lending program, contact Graham Eele (geele@worldbank.org, +44-1291-625029, 202-473-3802 [voice]) For International Household Survey Network (IHSN), contact Olivier Dupriez (odupriez@worldbank.org, 202-473-9795)
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