Category: Other meetings

The National Coordinators (NCs) are the main contact points in the national statistical institutes (NSIs) in the partner countries. The NC meetings are held at least every 6 months. In addition to the NCs, also in attendance are representatives from the European Commission and the consortium. The purpose of the meeting is to monitor and coordinate STEP-related activities.

This was the first NC meeting, where the programme was presented and the modus operandi with the NCs were discussed after the NCs were informed about the recent developments in the European Statistical System and the European Neighbourhood Policy.

The National Coordinators (NCs) are the main contact points in the national statistical institutes (NSIs) in the partner countries. The NC meetings are held at least every 6 months. In addition to the NCs, also in attendance are representatives from the European Commission and the consortium. The purpose of the meeting is to monitor and coordinate STEP-related activities.

During the meeting, the NCs were informed about the latest developments in STEP (change of team leader and implemented activities) as well as upcoming activities. The NCs presented other ongoing or upcoming cooperation projects related to statistics as well as other things of interest to the group. The STEP work programme for 2020 was presented. The NCs commented on the specific activities. In particular, the NCs expressed concern about the procedures related to the regional publications. The Contractor was tasked to prepare a note to explain how the regional publications are envisaged and present the note at the next NC meeting. Also, the concept of virtual groups was presented to the NCs who welcomed the idea of new methodologies for cooperation within the technical possibilities of the NSIs.

Communication and visibility is important for STEP and it is important to tie STEP activities in this area with activities in the partner countries. The target groups for communication and visibility were presented and each of the NCs presented how their NSI approach communication and visibility.

The National Coordinators (NCs) are the main contact points in the national statistical institutes (NSIs) in the partner countries. The NC meetings are held at least every 6 months. In addition to the NCs, also in attendance are representatives from the European Commission and the consortium. The purpose of the meeting is to monitor and coordinate STEP-related activities.

During the third NC meeting, the NCs were informed about the Recent developments in the ESS and the European Neighbourhood Policy as well as the latest developments in STEP (mainly the change from onsite to online implementation of STEP activities) as well as upcoming activities. The NCs presented other ongoing or upcoming cooperation projects related to statistics as well as other things of interest to the group. The STEP work programme for the second half of 2020 was presented. The NCs were also informed about how the work on the regional publication will be carried out as well as how the virtual groups will work. The NCs commented on the specific activities.

The National Coordinators (NCs) are the main contact points in the national statistical institutes (NSIs) in the partner countries. The NC meetings are held at least every 6 months. In addition to the NCs, also in attendance are representatives from the European Commission and the consortium. The purpose of the meeting is to monitor and coordinate STEP-related activities.

During the fourth NC meeting, the NCs were informed about the progress in the implementation of the activities according to the work programme. Experiences on how the activities are perceived in the partner countries were discussed. The NCs highlighted that the online format allows for many young people to participate in the activities. The NCs were also informed about the upcoming activities for the first half of 2021 with particular focus on the virtual group on R.

The participants were informed of the results of the inception phase. The management structure of the programme was presented. In addition the preliminary work programme was endorsed by the members of the Steering Committee.

The participants were informed of the milestones reached by the programme since the first Steering Committee meeting: the launch of activities, the adaptation to online working modalities following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the launch of the STEP newsletter, website, and Twitter account. Feedback from participants has been very positive.

The STEP work programme until 31 October 2021 was presented with special emphasis on the R training and the “Communication for statistics” activity which are planned for the first quarter of 2021, and the production of regional publications which require the active involvement of partner countries. 

The participants were informed about the rationale behind the proposed extension of the STEP programme by nine or twelve months. All partner countries confirmed the importance of the STEP programme and their interests in continuing the collaboration; all of them approved the proposed extension of the programme.