Republic of Moldova

Decentralization process will be monitored and evaluated

CHISINAU — October 7, 2011 -
The UNDP experts will assess the statistics available at national and local level - which can be used to monitor the development and results achieved within the decentralization process in Moldova – in the framework of an activity initiated by the Joint Integrated Local Development Program and implemented by the Strengthening the National Statistical System Joint UN Project.

Manager of the implementing Joint UN Project, Aurelia Spataru, has told 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 towards the decentralization, accurate information about the evolution and trends of the decentralization process is needed. In order to satisfy this necessity, a team of national and international experts will inventory the available statistics by consulting both the data producers and users, said Aurelia Spataru.

Patricia Alexander, economist-statistician from Canada and UNDP expert who was in Chisinau in a familiarization mission, said the statistical data represented by figures/numbers become knowledge only when a dialogue is established between the suppliers and users of data.

“When the interaction between the producers and users of statistics is taking place, we can say that the country produces indeed useful data for measuring the phenomena and processes taking place in the society, for identifying the needs of different groups of people, in particular those in difficulty or who are exposed to vulnerability factors. Such factors can include the low level of education that reduced the opportunities of employment and earning a salary need for a decent living, the age - when the elderly or young people are concerned, the place of residence characterized by a 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, in decision-making and public and social life, better access to the public services provided by the authorities, and the way the Government is responding to population’s needs,” said Patricia Alexander.

During September 26-30, UNDP 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 level of usage, the problems encountered, the expectations as regards the parameters and dimensions for evaluation and monitoring of vulnerability in the context of decentralization and, respectively, the main areas where it is possible to improve data availability. At the next stage, the list of monitoring indicators on the mentioned topic will be compiled and tested.

After the inventory of the statistical basis, the experts will assess the current national capacities and potential in collection and analysis/use of statistics pertinent to the decentralization process, applying the human rights and gender equality approaches. Proposals and recommendations on further improvement of the situation in this respect will be formulated and addressed to 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, UNICEF and ILO. More information about Joint Integrated Local Development programme at...

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 evidence-based monitoring and evaluation the policy.
For more information: Aurelia Spătaru, manager, Joint UN Project on Strengthening the National Statistical System, , Tel: (373 22) 403142, aurelia.spataru@undp.org and/or sau Natalia Costas, communications consultant, (373 22) 250216, ncostash@yahoo.com.