SCB: 2019-2022, Capacity Development in Migration Statistics SCB: 2019-2022, Capacity Development in Migration Statistics, Tillgänglig afrikansk migrationsstatistik präglas av låg kvalitet liksom bristande informationsdelning och samordning mellan aktörer på nationell-, regional- och kontinental nivå. Det aktuella projektet som avser stärkandet av Afrikanska unionens kommission (AUC) och regionala ekonomiska samarbetsorganisationers (RECs) migrationsstatistiska kapacitet motiveras av möjligheten till utvecklad regional och kontinental migrationspolitik samt möjligheten att omsätta politiken i praktiken.

Det huvudsakliga målet med insatsen är förbättrad tillgång av reguljär och aktuell migrationsstatistik med syftet att hantera de migrationsutmaningar som påverkar kvinnor och män i Afrika. Förväntade projektresultat är:

• Förbättrad migrationsstatistisk produktion (datainsamling och -delning);
• Förbättrad harmonisering av migrationsstatistiska begrepp och metoder;
• Ökad tillgänglighet av kvalitativ migrationsstatistik;
• Förbättrad samordning mellan intressenter som arbetar med migrationsstatistik.

Projektet genomförs av Statistiska Centralbyrån (SCB) i samarbete med AUC och de fyra regionala ekonomiska samarbetsorganisationerna IGAD, EAC, ECOWAS och SADC. SCB ansvarar för anställningen av tre tekniska rådgivare vilka under projektperioden placeras på AUC, EAC och SADC för att utveckla riktlinjer, standarder och metoder för datainsamling, analys och informationsspridning. Projektet kommer att främja harmoniserade migrationsdatainsamlingsmetoder för ökad tillgänglighet och användarvänlighet. Det bidrar vidare till ökade kapacitetsbyggande utbildningsmöjligheter för nationella experter på statistikområdet. 
   
Projektförslaget är utarbetat på förfrågan av AUC. Med anledning därav har SCB framtagit ett projektförslag. Sida kommer att signera ett insatsavtal med AUC. SCB kommer att vara implementerande part och Sida kommer att underteckna en tjänsteköpsöverenskommelse med dem. SCB kommer i sin tur att underteckna ett projektavtal med AUC. SCB kommer att ha MOU:s med de fyra REC:S. Alla medel kommer att hanteras av SCB. Inga medel vidareförmedlas till AUC eller REC:S.

Projektet genomförs under treårsperioden 1 januari 2019 t.o.m. 31 December 2021 med en budget om totalt 54 miljoner kronor. Det kommer att direkt gynna 40 länders nationella statistikbyråer jämte deltagande RECs och AUCs statistikenhet (STATAFRIC) placerad på dess avdelning för ekonomiska frågor. Regelbunden kommunikation och samordning mellan parterna liksom de regionala ekonomiska samarbetsorganisationernas långsiktiga och hållbara åtagande bedöms vara viktiga förutsättningar för ett framgångsrikt genomförande. The Migration statistics in Africa is characterized primarily by low quality of data, lack of information sharing and inadequate coordination arrangement among actors at national, regional and continental levels. The main rationale for supporting capacity building of the African Union Commission (AUC) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) on migration statistics is to enable them to develop appropriate migration policies at regional and continental levels and to put them in action.
The main objective of the intervention is to improve the availability of regular and up-to-date migration statistics to address the challenges of migration of women and men in Africa. 

The expected results of the planned project are:
 . Improved production of migration statistics (data collection and data sharing), 
.  Improved harmonization of migration statistics concepts and methods, 
 . Improved availability of quality migration statistics, and,
 . Improved coordination between stakeholders working on migration statistics.

The planned project will be implemented by Statistics Sweden in partnership with AUC and four RECs (Intergovermental Authority on Development (IGAD), East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS)  and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). SCB will hire & assign three LTA (Long Term Advisors) to AUC, EAC and SADC who will during the project implementation oversee the project development guidelines, concepts and methods for data collection, analysis and data dissemination. The project will promote harmonization of methodologies for migration data collection and to make it accessible and user friendly. The other focus of the intervention is to provide capacity building training for national statistical experts. 

The project is  developed based on AUC's request to Sida. Accordingly, Sida will sign Contribution Agreement with AUC. As implementing partner, Statistics Sweden (SCB) will sign Project Agreement with AUC and MOU'ss with four RECs. There is no forwarding of funds by SCB.

The planned project will be implemented over three years period from January 01, 2019 to 31st of December 2021 with a total budget of 54 million SEK. The National Statistical Bureaus of the 40 Member States (MS) of the African Union will directly benefit from the initiative in addition to the Statistical units of the four RECS and AUC's STATAFRIC. The existence of smooth communication and close coordination between stakeholders with sustainable long-term commitment from RECs managment are the main prerequisites for the successful implementation of the project. The specific objective of the project is to ensure the availability of relevant and good quality statistics on migration in Africa for use in decision and policy-making on migration issues.
The following are the expected outcomes of the project;. Improved production (range and quality) of migration statistics in RECs,. Improved harmonisation of migration concepts and methods;. Improved availability and conditions for use, and greater awareness of migration data among stakeholders; and. Strengthened RECs and AU coordination in the area of migration statistics.
Theory of change
The project is geared towards addressing the challenge of the policy-makers and other stakeholders, who lacks access to migration statistics and the underlying factors contributing to the existing situation. The key factors are: low and inadequate data production; insufficient coordination of migration data initiatives between stakeholders; and limited data sharing, dissemination and use.
The Theory of Change indicates how the different interventions are linked together and how all the areas of support will contribute to achieving the project objective (availability of migration statistics) which will in turn contribute to the long-term development objective. For example, capacity development in member states through the RECs will primarily lead to improved production and harmonisation of migration data. However improved flows of data, improved availability of data and cooperation between stakeholders are all required in order to transform migration data into accessible and user-friendly  and for use in policy-making.
For an institutional cooperation in statistics, it is important that the partners work closely together, and Statistics Sweden should have a clear advisory and facilitating role. Statistics Sweden is not doing the job, i.e. “gap-filling”, but rather focusing on knowledge transfer, and the capacity development should be performed with a gradual, consistent, step-by-step approach.
A description is provided for the gradual process of the theory of change linked to this specific project, with the assumptions made in order to achieve the objective. The long-term development objective of improved situation for migrants is an indication of the situation once quality and reliable migration data is available at Member States, RECs and AUC level. To apply a basic theory of change perspective on how the programme is addressing the core problem, the below bullet points indicate the logical chain of expected results and anticipated positive changes at thend of the intervention.
.  Capacity development on migration statistics at member states and RECs level
.  Improved flow of migration statistics from MS-RECs-AUC
.  Improved production and harmonisation of migration data
 . Improved availability of data on migration
.  Enhanced cooperation between stakeholders on migration issues
.  Improved availability of migration statistics and awareness among stakeholders for use in policy-making
.  Improved situation of women and men migrants on the continent.