Decentralization process will be monitored and assessed

Experts will assess the statistics available at national and local level, which can be used to monitor the development and results achieved in the decentralization process in Moldova, within an activity initiated by the State Chancellery with the support of Joint Integrated Local Development Program and implemented by the Strengthening the National Statistical System Joint UN Project. Manager of the Joint UN Project Aurelia Spataru has told Info-Prim Neo that the major goal of decentralization is to meet the needs of all the people, including the vulnerable groups, by ensuring better and more equitable access to services of a high quality in the settlements where they live. This is possible when the local public authorities have the necessary abilities and resources as well as autonomy and power to make decisions. Given the increased interest expressed by the governments of many countries in the decentralization idea, accurate information about the decentralization process is needed. In order to satisfy this necessity, a team of national and foreign experts will inventory the available statistics by consulting both the data producers and users, said Aurelia Spataru. Patricia Alexander, economist-statistician from Canada and JILDP's expert who is in Chisinau on a fact-finding visit, said the statistical data represented by figures become knowledge only when a dialogue is established between the suppliers and users of data. “When there is interaction between the producers and users of statistics, we can say that the country produced really useful data for measuring the social phenomena and processes and identifying the needs of different groups of people, especially those in difficulty or who are exposed to vulnerability factors. Such factors can include the low level of education that reduced the chances of finding employment and of making a decent living, the age, when is the case of elderly persons and young persons, the place of residence with poorly developed infrastructure, the limited sources of income, gender inequality, etc. We must make sure that there are relevant data about all the groups of people, their needs, their involvement in the election process, decision-making and public and social life, better access to the public services provided by the authorities, and the meeting by the Government of the population’s needs,” said Patricia Alexander. During September 26-30, JILDP's experts had initiation consultations with officials of the State Chancellery, the main suppliers and users of statistical data and with representatives of civil society. The aim was to identify the types of available data, their relevance and utilization degree, the problems encountered, the expectations as regards the parameters and dimensions for assessing and monitoring vulnerability in the context of decentralization and, respectively, the main areas where it is possible to improve data production. At the next stage, there will be compiled and tested the list of monitoring indicators on the mentioned topic. After inventorying the statistical base, the experts will determine the existing and possible national capacities for compiling and using statistics pertinent to the decentralization process, based on the principles of human rights and gender equality. There will be formulated proposals and recommendations for improving the situation in this respect, including for the State Chancellery, which coordinates the decentralization reform. The Joint Integrated Local Development Program is implemented by the Government of Moldova with the assistance of UNDP Moldova, UN Women and the financial support of the Swedish Government. The Strengthening the National Statistical System Project is a joint project of the National Bureau of Statistics, UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA and UNICEF. The Joint Integrated Local Development Program supports the Government of Moldova in its decentralization efforts and in the process of strengthening local autonomy, while the Strengthening the National Statistical System Joint UN Project contributes to improving the national capacity for collecting, disseminating and using data in the process of monitoring and assessing the data-based policy.