Data for Change: The PARIS21 Foundation

The Data for Change Foundation is a Geneva-based non-profit foundation with global ties to promote more, better, and equal data to enable evidence-based decisions and ensure no one is left behind. By fostering partnerships, empowering stakeholders, and leveraging technology, we aim to create a world where data enhances accountability and drives impactful, inclusive change. In close collaboration with PARIS21 (Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century), we strengthen national statistical systems (NSSs) to produce and use high-quality data for policymaking and monitoring progress. Our joint work helps countries build resilient, inclusive statistical capacities that adapt to evolving global data needs while ensuring all voices are represented.

Digital activities

One of our flagship initiatives, the SME Data Boost, supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa to build a robust data footprint. This project addresses the risk of SMEs being excluded from global trade due to missing or inadequate data, ensuring they can meet reporting requirements, remain competitive, and retain their place in global value chains. By equipping SMEs with essential tools and capabilities, the initiative fosters accountability and resilience within regional economies, helping them thrive in an increasingly data-driven world.

The Gender Data Lab (GDL) in Rwanda, launched in collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), PARIS21, and the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), is another example of our commitment to digital transformation. The GDL seeks to revolutionise the collection, analysis, and use of gender-disaggregated data to bridge existing gaps and inform evidence-based policymaking. By consolidating data sources and applying advanced data science techniques, the GDL equips policymakers with actionable insights to design gender-responsive policies and programmes. This initiative represents a critical step toward achieving accountability and progress on gender equality targets, such as the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and Rwanda’s Vision 2050. It also emphasises Rwanda’s leadership in ensuring accurate, accessible, gender data-informed decisions at all levels. Through its work, the GDL fosters an environment where interventions are tailored to address the unique challenges faced by women and men, driving inclusive and sustainable development.

Both the SME Data Boost and the Gender Data Lab exemplify how our digital activities leverage technology and innovation to enhance access to critical data. These initiatives not only strengthen statistical capacities but also promote equitable access to the tools and insights needed to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age.

Digital policy issues

Artificial intelligence

AI regulation & AI acts in LMICs

• Addressing regulatory challenges and governance of AI in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to ensure ethical, transparent, and inclusive adoption of AI technologies.
• Advocating for context-specific AI policies that balance innovation and accountability, ensuring that LMICs can leverage AI for development while safeguarding against risks such as bias, misinformation, and data privacy concerns.
• Supporting the integration of AI governance frameworks that align with global AI acts and responsible AI principles, ensuring that developing regions are not left behind in digital policy discussions.

Sustainable development

Closing SDG data gaps through digital innovation

• Promoting citizen-generated data (CGD) as a complementary source to official statistics, enabling more inclusive and granular data for monitoring SDG progress.
• Advocating for the integration of digital and AI-driven tools into national statistical systems (NSSs) to improve data collection, processing, and utilisation in policymaking.
• Addressing issues of data ownership, privacy, and trust in the use of digital tools for SDG monitoring, particularly in LMICs.

Digital tools

Citizen-generated data platforms (in planning)

In collaboration with partners in Africa, we are developing digital platforms that empower citizens to contribute real-time, localised data to close critical SDG data gaps.

SME Data Boost

A workstream designed to help SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa establish a strong data footprint, enabling them to participate in global trade, meet reporting requirements, and stay competitive in digital economies.

Gender Data Lab (GDL)

An initiative that leverages advanced data science techniques to improve gender-disaggregated data collection and analysis, supporting evidence-based gender policies in Rwanda.

Social media channels

LinkedIn @Dataforchange:theparis21foundation

YouTube @DataForChange

Contact @[email protected]