New data sources arose from the expansion of digital technologies, and the growing number of people connected to information systems and networks is transforming the data landscape. A data ecosystem is emerging. New data sources such as big data, open data and citizen-generated data produced by the private sector, civil-society organizations and academia are responding to today’s information needs.

A data ecosystem can be defined as a group of multiple data communities that interact with one another by sharing data, knowledge about improving data processes and data use, and other data-related activities along the data value chain. Members of these data communities can be stakeholders from official statistical agencies, line ministries, central banks, civil-society organizations, academia and the private sector.

Managing such an expanded data ecosystem requires a full set of skills and capacities that go far beyond technical data production skills – rather, it requires a new mindset for cooperation and coordination and the respective capacities. In response to these needs, a national SDG review guide has been developed, which proposes a roadmap that can help national statistical systems develop and/ or strengthen the capacities of traditional and new actors in the data ecosystem to improve the follow-up and review process for the 2030 Agenda at the national level.