Administrative Data in the Service of Statistics: EU4ADMIN Conference in Neum
Through the daily work of various public administration bodies, a vast repository of data is being created. This data represents an almost invisible and underutilized resource that can serve as a key to faster, more accurate, and more useful statistics – benefiting everyone from institutions to citizens.
The project “EU for Increasing the Use of Administrative Data Sources in the Production of Official Statistics in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, known as EU4ADMIN, helps us get closer to this goal: making better, more efficient, and more economical use of the data we already have.
Recognizing that active support and engagement of administrative data holders is essential, a meeting is being held on May 14 and 15 in Neum, bringing together representatives of statistical institutions and public administration bodies across different administrative levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina who manage such data.
The conference, titled Shaping the Future of Data Governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was opened by Vesna Ćužić, Director of the Agency for Statistics of BiH. In her address to project partners, she emphasized that integrating administrative sources into the statistical system reduces the costs of conducting large-scale and extremely expensive statistical surveys, while simultaneously improving the quality of the data collected. “Administrative data covers a larger number of people, is more up to date and more detailed. This opens the door for expanded statistical analysis in line with users’ growing needs. What is particularly important is that this approach brings our country closer to the European Union, as alignment with Eurostat standards is not just a technical obligation but also part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s broader reform path,” she stated.
Reliable, harmonized, and transparent statistics are crucial for closing negotiation chapters, tracking reform progress, and building trust with international partners. Without such data, it is impossible to measure the real impact of policies or credibly plan future steps.
During the conference, participants are working to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation and exchange views on legal frameworks, IT infrastructure, and technical standards necessary for the secure and efficient exchange of data. Particular emphasis is placed on building trust – because successful data exchange requires not only technology but also a commitment to open and responsible cooperation, with full respect for data privacy and security rules.
EU4ADMIN is a two-year initiative worth nearly 2 million euros, funded by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project is implemented by the GOPA consortium, which includes renowned partners from Croatia, Slovenia, and Germany, in cooperation with the Agency for Statistics of BiH, entity statistical institutes, and other relevant institutions.