(Newsletter March 2023)

The Accelerator Lab and the core team of the Birth, Death and Marriage division of the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (BDM-SBS) have partnered to accelerate learning on strengthening the birth registration system in Samoa. The first phase of their joint work involved exploring the current birth registration system to surface gaps and opportunities for innovation and improvements. Their work involved a  mapping of the birth registration process at three levels: 1) systems level, 2) direct implementation level and 3) cultural practices level. The Accelerator Lab and the BDM-SBS employed multiple approaches, seeking diverse sources of data and working closely with the community in order to understand how birth registration processes play out in action at the community level.

The second stage of the collaboration between BDM and the Accelerator Lab team aimed to design solutions that are contextually relevant for the communities. Most notably, the project resulted in the prioritization of taking the birth registration system out into the communities via remote access. This proved to be a significant step towards improving accessibility and affordability for families, especially those living in remote or rural areas.

This project demonstrated the power of co-design and collaboration addressing complex social challenges. By working together, the BDM unit and the Accelerator Lab have developed a solution that has the potential to positively impact the lives of families in Samoa.

More information on the process and results can be accessed here: part 1 and part 2.