Statistical Capacity Building

The Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building (TFSCB) was established on April 13, 1999 to strengthen the capacity of statistical systems in developing countries. It is a global grant facility, administered by the Development Data Group of the World Bank on behalf of the contributing donors. TFSCB focuses on improving countries’ capacity in the production, analysis, dissemination and use of timely statistics. In coordination with national programs and international initiatives, TFSCB provides a practical mechanism to achieve the vision of the Partnership for Statistics for Development for the 21^st Century (PARIS21). It aspires to develop effective and efficient national statistical systems and to promote a culture of evidence-based decision making and implementation. Moreover, consistent with the Busan Action Plan for Statistics (BAPS) and the needs of the post-2015 development agenda, TFSCB pays special attention to improving production and use of gender statistics, advancing the data foundation for measuring sustainable development, experimenting with innovative approaches in gathering, producing and using data; and  making government data more accessible.

TFSCB has so far provided funding for more than 200 projects in all regions of the world.

The Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building (TFSCB) currently supports three types of projects:

1.    Preparation and updating of National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDS);

2.    Statistical Capacity Building activities in key priority areas within the framework of NSDS, regional, or global strategies, including the Busan Action Plan for Statistics (BAPS) and the post-2015 agenda; and

3.    Data Production in key areas aiming to fill data gaps linked to the need for monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Household Surveys, National Accounts, and related activities. Please note that this type of project is currently in a PILOT mode and countries will be invited to participate.

All World Bank member countries are eligible to apply for TFSCB funding, with priority given to countries eligible for the support of the International Development Association (IDA). TFSCB funding can also be provided to sub-regional, regional and international organizations.

TFSCB projects are designed to be relatively small and quick disbursing. The maximum amount granted for any one proposal is specific to the type of project; however the maximum duration is two years with the possibility of a one year extension. The main aim of TFSCB is to improve statistical capacity in a sustainable manner. The resources provided must therefore be additional and cannot be used to replace national budgetary resources. In general, recipients are required to demonstrate their commitment to a proposed project by providing some contribution, either monetary or in-kind, to the overall costs.

TFSCB financed projects are implemented by an appropriate national, regional, or international agency (or, in exceptional circumstances, by the World Bank itself). For each project, the World Bank will nominate a Task Team Leader (TTL), who will be responsible for its supervision, coordination with the implementing agency, and compliance with the World Bank Trust Fund procedures. TTLs must be Trust Fund (TFLAP) accredited and accredited as a TTL.

It is recommended that World Bank units and international agencies interested in preparing an application contact a TFSCB Administration Unit Team member (Ingrid Ivins, Mizuki Yamanaka, or Mustafa Dinc) or the local World Bank office at an early stage. All proposals need to be submitted by a World Bank TTL and include a commitment for project supervision.