EU delegation, Statistics Kosovo, 2019-2023

The above sub-objectives have been achieved and concrete results have been delievered in the following five areas: 1: Further improvement of sector statistics and National Accounts statistics This activity involved two sub-activities: one aiming at increasing the number of GDP tables for transmission programme in accordance with the European System of Regional and National Accounts (ESA) 2010, and the second one aiming at increased coverage of National Accounts (exhaustiveness), including better coverage of the Non-Observed Economy (NOE). The achievement of the Projects objectives has supported KAS in identifying available data sources for different types of GDP tables. All tables by industry (annual) have been completed. In the area of the NOE, KAS has started calculations of previously calculated experimental NOE estimates for the year 2017-2019, by using tax audit controls. The estimates on road transport, restaurants, accommodation, and construction for the years 2008-2019 and 2010-2019 (both in current and fixed prices) have been 100% completed during the Project implementation phase. 2: Further improvement of Social Statistics Indicators To that end, four activities were were organized: a) the implementation of a Demography Management System (DMS), b) updating enumeration areas, c) producing, and analysing Statistics on Income and Living Conditions, and, d) implementing a Labour Cost Survey. 3: Further improvement of metadata systems, documentation and dissemination and modernisation of data collection methods This Component mainly revolved around IT by supporting the development of the software structure and procedures at KAS to allow for the efficient and secure storage of data. To that end the Project has supported KAS in developing numerous guidelines and procedure manuals for its staff as well as providing various staff trainings and IT security audits. Besides, the Project has procured a relatively high number of IT software and hardware to ensure that KAS is equipped to deliver according to the current standards. While only a couple of KAS staff were familiar with the norms and procedures in place when the Project started, thereby making the whole institution dependent on the knowledge of a few individuals, the knowledge is now more broadly shared within KAS. New IT equipment and software are also facilitating the daily tasks of the institution. Having successfully met the objectives outlined in the Project Inception report, the Project has also produced additional results such as creating a full-fledged intranet for KAS, as well as developing a new website for KAS which is more aligned with the standards in place nowadays in terms of interactivity and user-friendly interface. 4: Strengthening of planning and coordination of the statistical system to improve the delivery of objectives and outputs in line with the 5-year programme for official statistics, and the communication and collaboration with key stakeholders The Project managed to improve the overall methodological capacity at KAS (through developing documents and routines, providing trainings, webinars, and workshops, etc.), and laid a solid ground for KAS for when the context will be more conducive to the coordination of the NSS (a study visit to learn and get inspiration from the NSS in Latvia, developing a standard Code of Practice for organisations that produce administrative data sources in Kosovo, recommending and developing coordination and communication mechanisms with other NSS institutions, etc.). The Project assisted KAS in a major achievement with the design of a five-year Strategic and Action Plan titled Program Document of KAS Official Statistics (POS) for 2023-2027 which is in line with EU accession requirements. 5: Building the overall capacity and resilience of KAS to maximize results and achieve sustainability by strengthening management and organisational development To achieve the expected objective, the activities under this component were grouped into two clusters. On the one hand, three activities supporting the organisational development of KAS, and on the other hand, five activities supporting the strengthening of human resources capacities at KAS. At the Project Inception stage, four activities were removed from the Project at the request of KAS. Great results were achieved during the Project implementation phase in several areas at KAS, notably with the development of an Internal Training Function describing the role, tasks, responsibilities, and interactions between KAS Departments and staff at different levels, as well as a capacity development plan for the HR sector and managers. Further, the Project also focused on improving knowledge management at KAS by developing a Knowledge Management Manual and a Quality Management System (QMS). To this end, the creation of the Sharepoint Intranet at KAS, which includes features such as an e-library, a knowledge database, and materials for capacity development, was instrumental in supporting KAS improving as a knowledge-based or

The overall objective of the contribution is to contribute to the strengthening of the statistical system of Kosovo by enabling the development of reliable statistical information and facilitating improved decision making. Specifically, this action aims at increasing the capacities of KAS to carry out its core activities in a standardised and independent manner – in line with EU standards – as well as strengthen KAS’s management and coordination capacities. To attain this overarching objective, the contribution aims to:  * Improve the timeliness and shortening the timing of the release of all statistics in order to improve the Kosovo Government’s decision-making process; * Improve inter-institutional coordination and information sharing among the main stakeholders in the statistical sector; * Improve data dissemination by enhancing data availability and visibility for public users; * Support KAS in carrying out its core activities and mandate in a standardised and independent manner. The above objectives are foreseen to be achieved trough the achievement of the following five results: 1: Further improvement of sector statistics and National Accounts statistics 2: Further improvement of sector statistics and National Accounts statistics 3: Further improvement of metadata systems, documentation and dissemination and modernisation of data collection methods 4: Strengthening of planning and coordination of the statistical system to improve the delivery of objectives and outputs in line with the 5-year programme for official statistics, and the communication and collaboration with key stakeholders 5. Building the overall capacity and resilience of KAS to maximize results and achieve sustainability by means of a series of linked The results above correspond to the five components of the programme and are all, in the logical framework of the programme, measurable through verifiable indicators. The programme document further clarifies the programme structure and proposed sets of activities under each results/components. Though at a fairly detailed level already, these will be further elaborated on in the three month inception phase of the programme where a more detailed time-line for the programme will also be agreed upon.