Understanding the data ecosystem and supporting harmonisation
Find out more about why and how to improve your understanding and harmonization of EiE data across actors to bridge the existing gaps. Learn about evidence, lessons learned, and recommended actions you can consider in the design and implementation of EiE responses to strengthen collaboration and improve the whole data ecosystem in this critical sector.
1. Recognise challenges, in particular, that lack of systemization is often a bigger problem than lack of data
And that fragmentation of the data space hampers the whole ecosystem. Addressing the related issue of inaccessible data sources leveraged by partners is essential to improving coordination and data-sharing processes. For this, building consensus among the various EiE stakeholders, including ministries of education, the Education Cluster, humanitarian actors and development partners, is essential to effectively leveraging available data.
2. Collaborate to Harmonise indicators and build a better understanding of the EiE data ecosystem
This starts with securing formal commitments from governments and partners, supporting the development of monitoring frameworks at district, national, and regional levels. Establish a shared set of measures and targets, facilitated by effective coordination mechanisms, to define data actor functions in relation to common indicators. This promotes a better understanding of the EiE data ecosystem, ensuring stakeholders work with harmonized, standardized data. Integrate efforts to harmonize indicators with improving Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) to avoid creating disconnected data systems, covering all stages of the disaster management cycle.
3. Map the system of EiE data actors and leverage existing partnerships to support harmonization and coordination within the system
Particularly when it comes to data sharing and data use, by leveraging existing partnerships and tools to prevent duplications, break silos, and promote harmonization and system integration, extending collaboration across line ministries for more effective EiE data initiatives. Exercises such as the Joint Educational Needs Assessments (JENA), facilitated by the Education Cluster, offer great opportunities for coordinated efforts and harmonized, purpose-driven data collection.
4. Engage with local actors on mapping and harmonization to maximize uptake by actively involving MoEs from the outset
To improve their understanding and by encouraging the use of 'living documents' that stakeholders can collectively build on to strengthen the EE data ecosystem as processes, such as mapping and reviews, are often more useful in promoting data sharing and collaboration than final products. So, more locally, actions such as systematizing standardized toolkits, and ensuring that they can be used at school and district level, can also help to ensure ownership and regular use of resources.