A modern statistical system is a key element for the progress of any country, as it provides the necessary data that enable informed decision-making at all levels of government and across all sectors of society. Statistics is not just a tool for measuring the current state, but also the foundation for planning the future, optimizing resources, as well as monitoring progress and identifying challenges.
Administrative data collection, including those from businesses, thorough analysis, and specific tailormade indicators’ creations in real time is the novelty that will be the result of the EU supported project.
The project being implemented by the Statistical Office of Serbia, for which the European Union has allocated more than 6 million euros in grant funds, officially started yesterday in Belgrade.
Statistics is a fundamental necessity for any country of the European Union. Every member state has a statistical system that is comparable, and this is what we are aiming to achieve here. EU assistance to Serbian statistics has amounted to 70 million euros, as highlighted by Nicola Bertolini, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia.
“This new project aims to broaden statistics, covering the entire country, businesses, municipalities, and aligning more closely with European Union standards. The EU considers Serbia to be very advanced in harmonizing its statistical system with that of the European Union. The inclusion of local authorities, communities, and businesses means that one important objective of this project will be met: to provide robust data for decision-making at both the local and national levels. In particular, data will also address employment and identify gaps. This is an important development for the entire country,” stated Bertolini.
Branko Josipović, Director of the of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, stated that the idea of the project is to provide decision-makers at all levels with better and more efficient access to the data and indicators they need to make strategic and operational decisions.
“The EU is supporting us in building the entire system as part of the overall capacity-building of Serbia’s statistics. The national statistical system consolidates all available data sources, including existing administrative and internal sources, as well as data from all ministries. The European Union has recognized the Office as a good partner with a high level of development, and our strong cooperation continues with this project,” said Josipović.
Today, national statistical offices must not only be data producers but also assume a new role as data stewards, integral to the broader data ecosystem. This shift demands that we embrace emerging technologies, adapt to new data sources and methodologies, and recruit talent capable of navigating these complexities. It is no longer feasible to rely solely on traditional approaches. Instead, statistical offices must integrate multi-source data, develop robust infrastructures, and position themselves as agile and forward-looking institutions.
The modernization of statistical offices is essential for meeting both local and international demands. This involves leveraging technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and open-source tools to improve data collection, processing, and dissemination. In addition, developing systems for real-time reporting is necessary to provide up-to-date information that responds to dynamic societal needs. Finally, capacity building is critical, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to adapt to emerging trends and technologies.
Project information:
https://www.euzatebe.rs/en/projects/eu4sors-development-of-a-modern-statistical-system
