In democratic countries, municipal (local) statistics is an integral part of local development management and the exercise of powers by local governments based on the principles of transparency and accountability.
The current state of municipal (local) statistics in Ukraine is characterised by sets of statistical, administrative and other data used for the needs of local development management, but lacking systematic features, a unified methodology for collection, processing and dissemination, and in most cases, the status of official statistics.
Today in Ukraine there are a number of challenges that need to be overcome to create modern and reliable municipal (local) statistics for effective data-driven management decisions, including the lack of
- a single agreed methodological framework for statistical assessment of the development of territorial communities;
- organisational and legal framework for the formation and dissemination of the relevant system of indicators;
- a unified list of indicators for assessing the development of territorial communities. The sets of indicators used by territorial communities for the purposes of local development management and the formats of their dissemination through local portals currently differ significantly;
- no unified approved methods for calculating local development indicators, which leads to the problem of reliability and impartiality of municipal (local) statistics;
- low level of statistical literacy of local self-government bodies, which significantly affects the quality of the processes of compiling and using municipal (local) statistics, developing and making data-based decisions.
That is why the Centre for Innovations Development, with the support of the USAID GOVERLA Project, has begun to develop the concept of a comprehensive system of municipal (local) statistics and a corresponding draft law that will meet the current needs of local governments, state and local authorities, and society for objective, reliable and unbiased statistical information. This will help to ensure effective strategic decision-making for the restoration and further development of communities and territories, as well as improve the lives of citizens.
Project objective:To develop the concept of an integrated system of municipal (local) statistics and a corresponding draft law that will meet the current needs of state and local authorities and society for objective, reliable and impartial statistical information.
Key objectives:
- To study the current needs of local communities and other authorities, stakeholders for administrative and statistical data disaggregated to the level of local communities or their parts, which are necessary for making informed management decisions.
- Analyse the available sources of statistical and administrative data, as well as the specifics of the practice of collecting, storing, sharing and providing these data.
- Identify the best international practices in the development and functioning of municipal statistics.
- To develop a concept of municipal (local) statistics in Ukraine and a relevant draft law.
The implementation of this project will allow Ukraine to improve its statistical system in line with European standards, which will be a step towards its integration into the European Union and the European statistical system. This will provide an opportunity for more effective cooperation with international partners and ensure high-quality and reliable statistical information for all stakeholders, which in turn will contribute to the country’s development and improve the lives of citizens.
This project is implemented by the Centre for Innovation Development within the framework of the project “Comprehensive Study of Community-Based Data Needs and Municipal Statistics for the Development of the Concept of Municipal Statistics of Ukraine and the Relevant Draft Law” and was made possible by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the generous support of the American people through the USAID GOVERLA Project. The contents of this project do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID and the U.S. Government.