Unraveling the Big Bet: Tackling Depopulation in Serbia through a Data Challenge

Innovation methods

Data sources

Disclaimer:

Please be aware that the content herein has not been peer reviewed. It consists of personal reflections, insights, and learnings of the contributor(s). It may not be exhaustive, nor does it aim to be authoritative knowledge.

Overview

Prepared by (Name of the experimenter)

Kristina Jazinnka Nikolic

On date (Day/Month/Year)

2020, 2021

Current status of experimental activity

Completed

What portfolio does this activity correspond to? If any

Depopulation portfolio within UNDP Serbia CO

What is the frontier challenge does this activity responds to?

Depopulation in Serbia

What is the learning question(from your action learning plan) is this activity related to?

How might we use alternative data to better understand depopulation in Serbia?

Please categorize the type that best identifies this experimental activity:

Pre Experimental (trial and error, prototype, a/b testing)

Which sector are you partnering with for this activity? Please select all that apply

United Nations agency, Public Sector, Private Sector, Civil Society/ NGOs, Academia

Please list the names of partners mentioned in the previous question:

UNFPA, the Prime Minister's Office, Ministries, public institutions, BioSense Institute, Telecom Serbia Company, Infostud company, different organisations form the development, innovation and startup ecosystem, academia, etc.

Design

Hypothesis: IF... THEN....

H1. Data & IT community is willing to utilize its technical and analytical knowledge in order to help better understand the depopulation topic in Serbia. H2: The academic community and community of academic researchers are open to applying new methodologies (data sets and technology) to the depopulation problem in order to further their understanding of it. H3. Without the assistance of UNDP, the multidisciplinary teams needed to adequately address this challenge will naturally arise. H4. Offering incentives to interdisciplinary teams will greatly encourage them to participate in the challenge. H5. The precise results of the successful Data Challenge teams will be very helpful in understanding the subject of depopulation. Meetings and conversations with stakeholders from the data & IT community and academia helped to confirm the first two hypotheses. After teams presented their final project proposals, the third was confirmed, proving that almost all effective applicants had naturally established multidisciplinary teams. A follow-up interview with teams who applied verified the fourth hypothesis and the two final hypotheses. It's important to note that 50 teams submitted applications in the first round. This figure has surpassed even the most optimistic projections, which is remarkable given the complexity of the depopulation issue.

Does the activity use a control group for comparison?

How is the intervention assigned to different groups in your experiment?

Other

What is the learning intent of the activity?

UNDP Accelerator Lab strives to enhance collective intelligence and accelerate digital innovation by bringing together a diverse group of people, data, and technology. We think that by harnessing the unique strengths of each component and promoting collaboration, we can develop innovative solutions that outperform any single effort.

What is the object being tested?

Multidisciplinary teams teams working collaboratively to leverage their diverse skills, knowledge, and expertise in the design and development of data-driven/digital solutions to address Serbian depopulation.

What is the timeline of the experimental activity?

The experimental activity's timeline began with the initial idea and preparation phase, which occurred at the end of 2019. In 2020, the Challenge Call was launched, which called for data-driven/digital solutions to tackle depopulation in Serbia. The year 2021 saw the announcement of the winning solutions at a live event, marking the conclusion of the experimental activity.

Review

Reviewer's name

Results

What were the key results?

The key findings and results of the Depopulation Data Challenge experiment are summarized in a blog post authored by Professor Vladimir Nikitovic and our Head of Exploration, Drasko Draskovic. The post discusses the potential of alternative data sources to shed new light on the issue of depopulation in Serbia. For more information on the insights and outcomes of the experiment, please visit: https://www.rs.undp.org/content/serbia/en/home/blog/2022/Kako_alternativni_podaci_mogu_da_bace_novo_svetlo_na_depopulaciju_u_Srbiji.html" target="_new" style="border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; --tw-border-spacing-x:0; --tw-border-spacing-y:0; --tw-translate-x:0; --tw-translate-y:0; --tw-rotate:0; --tw-skew-x:0; --tw-skew-y:0; --tw-scale-x:1; --tw-scale-y:1; --tw-pan-x: ; --tw-pan-y: ; --tw-pinch-zoom: ; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness:proximity; --tw-ordinal: ; --tw-slashed-zero: ; --tw-numeric-figure: ; --tw-numeric-spacing: ; --tw-numeric-fraction: ; --tw-ring-inset: ; --tw-ring-offset-width:0px; --tw-ring-offset-color:#fff; --tw-ring-color:rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow:0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-shadow:0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow:0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow-colored:0 0 transparent; --tw-blur: ; --tw-brightness: ; --tw-contrast: ; --tw-grayscale: ; --tw-hue-rotate: ; --tw-invert: ; --tw-saturate: ; --tw-sepia: ; --tw-drop-shadow: ; --tw-backdrop-blur: ; --tw-backdrop-brightness: ; --tw-backdrop-contrast: ; --tw-backdrop-grayscale: ; --tw-backdrop-hue-rotate: ; --tw-backdrop-invert: ; --tw-backdrop-opacity: ; --tw-backdrop-saturate: ; --tw-backdrop-sepia: ; color: var(--tw-prose-links); text-decoration-line: underline; text-underline-offset: 2px; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 248);">https://www.rs.undp.org/content/serbia/en/home/blog/2022/Kako_alternativni_podaci_mogu_da_bace_novo_svetlo_na_depopulaciju_u_Srbiji.html."

What were the key insights of this experiment?

The key insights and findings from the Depopulation Data Challenge experiment are summarized in a blog post authored by Professor Vladimir Nikitovic and our Head of Exploration, Drasko Draskovic. The post discusses the potential of alternative data sources to shed new light on the issue of depopulation in Serbia. For more information, please visit https://www.rs.undp.org/content/serbia/en/home/blog/2022/Kako_alternativni_podaci_mogu_da_bace_novo_svetlo_na_depopulaciju_u_Srbiji.html" target="_new" style="border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; --tw-border-spacing-x:0; --tw-border-spacing-y:0; --tw-translate-x:0; --tw-translate-y:0; --tw-rotate:0; --tw-skew-x:0; --tw-skew-y:0; --tw-scale-x:1; --tw-scale-y:1; --tw-pan-x: ; --tw-pan-y: ; --tw-pinch-zoom: ; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness:proximity; --tw-ordinal: ; --tw-slashed-zero: ; --tw-numeric-figure: ; --tw-numeric-spacing: ; --tw-numeric-fraction: ; --tw-ring-inset: ; --tw-ring-offset-width:0px; --tw-ring-offset-color:#fff; --tw-ring-color:rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow:0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-shadow:0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow:0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow-colored:0 0 transparent; --tw-blur: ; --tw-brightness: ; --tw-contrast: ; --tw-grayscale: ; --tw-hue-rotate: ; --tw-invert: ; --tw-saturate: ; --tw-sepia: ; --tw-drop-shadow: ; --tw-backdrop-blur: ; --tw-backdrop-brightness: ; --tw-backdrop-contrast: ; --tw-backdrop-grayscale: ; --tw-backdrop-hue-rotate: ; --tw-backdrop-invert: ; --tw-backdrop-opacity: ; --tw-backdrop-saturate: ; --tw-backdrop-sepia: ; color: var(--tw-prose-links); text-decoration-line: underline; text-underline-offset: 2px; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 248);">https://www.rs.undp.org/content/serbia/en/home/blog/2022/Kako_alternativni_podaci_mogu_da_bace_novo_svetlo_na_depopulaciju_u_Srbiji.html."

Context

Comments

Location(s)

Tags

SDG(s)

Sustainable Development Goal(s)

Experiment

Unraveling the Big Bet: Tackling Depopulation in Serbia through a Data Challenge

Posted by Kristina Nikolic

UNDP Serbia Accelerator Lab

Innovation methods

Data sources

Disclaimer:

Overview

Prepared by (Name of the experimenter)

Kristina Jazinnka Nikolic

On date (Day/Month/Year)

2020, 2021

Current status of experimental activity

Completed

What portfolio does this activity correspond to? If any

Depopulation portfolio within UNDP Serbia CO

What is the frontier challenge does this activity responds to?

Depopulation in Serbia

What is the learning question(from your action learning plan) is this activity related to?

How might we use alternative data to better understand depopulation in Serbia?

Please categorize the type that best identifies this experimental activity:

Pre Experimental (trial and error, prototype, a/b testing)

Which sector are you partnering with for this activity? Please select all that apply

United Nations agency, Public Sector, Private Sector, Civil Society/ NGOs, Academia

Please list the names of partners mentioned in the previous question:

Design

Hypothesis: IF... THEN....

Does the activity use a control group for comparison?

How is the intervention assigned to different groups in your experiment?

Other

What is the learning intent of the activity?

What is the object being tested?

What is the timeline of the experimental activity?

Review

Reviewer's name

Results

What were the key results?

What were the key insights of this experiment?

Context

Comments

Describe the methodology of the experimental activity. For example, sample size and selection; data collection technique; collaboration; randomization technique; data analysis technique

1. Research phase: The research phase consisted primarily of desk research on depopulation and served as an initial stepping stone in the development of the Challenge Call. The primary goal of this phase was to identify clusters of relevant subtopics in order to comprehend and describe potential thematic areas for teams that should apply for the call. We identified and described relevant local and global datasets that could be used as data sources by teams. This dataset collection was extensive, but it was far from the complete list of all available datasets on the topic of depopulation (and related topics). Finally, we investigated similar global projects centred on the topic of using alternative datasets and, ideally, combining them with traditional datasets to gain a better understanding of population dynamics. 2. Preparatory phase: During the preparatory phase, we established a series of hypotheses, the majority of which were validated during this and subsequent phases. 3. Implementation phase: During this phase, both the initial application form and the full application form were created, and the call was publicly opened and promoted. TypeForm, an online service for creating advanced forms, was used to create both forms. It was chosen because of its customizability and features, with branching being the most important feature we sought. The forms' design is also very sleek, conveying professionalism and attention to detail. All applications were recorded in the TypeForm system and automatically forwarded to a Google Sheet that was created for this purpose. Both phases were subjected to a jury review. Following the jury's comments and insights, video interviews with four selected teams were scheduled via Zoom. InfostudData, PopInsight, Bootstrappers, and Geoanalitiari were among the invited teams (for more information on the winning teams, visit https://www.rs.undp.org/content/serbia/en/home/presscenter/articles/2020/depopulation-data-challenge-winners.html).

Unraveling the Big Bet: Tackling Depopulation in Serbia through a Data Challenge

Disclaimer:

Overview

Design

Review

Results

Context

Comments

Who we are

Where we are

Our Learnings

News

Who we are

Where we are

Our Learnings

News

Unraveling the Big Bet: Tackling Depopulation in Serbia through a Data Challenge

Disclaimer:

Overview

Design

Review

Results

Context

Comments