Bridging the gap in the utilization and trust of statistical data among key societal actors is foundational to fostering a healthy interaction between the public and statistical system stakeholders. Despite the essential role of official statistical producers, such as INSTAT, the Bank of Albania, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, in collecting and disseminating critical information, there remains limited interaction with user groups. The voices of these groups, including civil society, are not sufficiently amplified although INSTAT has made efforts to engage civil society in post-census analysis by soliciting input on issues of public concern.

The project “Fostering Trust and Utilization in Albania’s Statistics and Data Landscape” aims to address this gap, leveraging insights from the 2023 Census and involving non-state actors in targeted initiatives. This effort complements broader actions like SALSTAT, which emphasizes the importance of localized statistical data for informed decision-making and development planning.

Civil society initiatives, such as those led by the Center for Comparative and International Studies (CCIS), play a critical role in bridging these gaps. As a reputable organization specializing in applied research and capacity building, CCIS is well positioned to facilitate meaningful engagement and outcomes among state and non-state actors. This includes facilitating focused post-census analysis for interest groups such as civil society, the media, academia, the private sector, and youth. This intervention is especially relevant given ongoing debates about data management and the broader need for institutional openness and engagement with non-state actors. It highlights the importance of reliable statistical information for informed decision-making and sustainable development.

This intervention contributes to the objective of the Democratic Governance portfolio of the Swiss Cooperation Programme Albania 2022-2025 ‘People benefit from inclusive, effective and democratic institutions’. It synergizes with SALSTAT and Bashki te Forta, strengthening the use of evidence decision making at local level. It complements other Swiss (SDC and SECO) interventions, such as Support to LNoB, support to civil society, local finance, and the strengthening of private sector. It contributes to the implementation of the Albanian Official Statistics National Program 2022-2026, specifically addressing strategic objectives related to meeting user requirements, modernizing statistical processes, and increasing public trust in the National Statistical System. Furthermore, the project leverages insights from the recently conducted Census 2023 to bridge the current gap in statistical information utilization by non-state actors. By qualitatively assessing the level of understanding and trust in official statistics, the project contributes in developing a methodology and a baseline that can be used regularly, thus giving evidence on how trust-building and interactions between stakeholders are enhanced over time. The project’s strategic alignment with international standards, national objectives, and collaborative networks underscores its significance in promoting transparency, governance, and effective decision-making within Albania’s statistical ecosystem.

 

The Overall goal of the project is to enhance the use and trust of statistical data among key societal actors in Albania, including universities, civil society organizations, businesses, and media.

Objectives:

Objective 1.  Measure the user satisfaction and trust with statistical products and services by the non-state actors including universities, civil society organizations, businesses, and media.

Objective 2. Develop and propose comprehensive strategies aimed at cultivating trust within the Albanian society by fostering a deeper understanding of the importance and reliability of statistical information.

Expected results: upon completion of the project, the following results are expected:

  • A methodology for assessing the current state of users’ satisfaction and trust in statistics is developed;
  • A baseline for trust in statistics is set up for continued monitoring and in close interaction with statistical ecosystem actors;
  • The challenges and the factors contributing to the underutilization and trust/mistrust of statistical data by societal actors are identified and analyzed;
  • The public discussion on topics of interest following census 2023 is incentivized between INSTAT and four main groups (universities, media, businesses, and civil society);
  • The public awareness of non-state actors on the significance and reliability of statistical information is increased by measurable improvements in public perception and understanding of statistical data.