Guatemala’s National Social Information System: An Overview

The National Social Information System (SNIS) will allow the government of Guatemala and civil society to monitor the country's social development. SNIS collects and disseminates information from 16 institutions about the social benefits from government programs and progress towards social development goals. The system integrates data from several government agencies that implement social policies and programs. Government agencies have transactional information systems that collect data for their work, which are used to produce cross-sectoral indicators. Data consultations with the National Registry of Persons (RENAP) help ensure every individual can be identified using their unique identification code (CUI), allowing for data integration from different agencies with different information systems. The data are transferred to a data warehouse using the extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) process. The data warehouse is currently on a virtual server and under the responsibility of MIDES' Social Information System (SISO). Once data have been transferred to SNIS, two records are generated: the National Register of Users (RUU-N) and the social indicators. RUU-N compiles the beneficiaries' information from all the social programs, which could eventually be used to provide information about coverage by population type. The social indicators integrate data from participating agencies to provide multisectoral information or complement existing indicators. HEPP conducted a case study on SNIS in 2014 to assess the impact of the technical assistance provided, determine the system's strengths, and identify challenges to its sustainability. The study used qualitative and quantitative methods to triangulate the answers for three research questions. Nineteen key informant interviews and four focus group discussions with 41 stakeholders provided the majority of the qualitative data. A desk review of HEPP's reports on technical assistance and government documents on the regulation of these systems provided additional information on the implementation of the technical assistance. The study found that HEPP's innovative approach, with a focus on the end user and implementing its four policies, supported the development of SNIS and contributed to its adoption, use, and sustainability. The system's strengths include its ability to integrate data from different agencies and provide multisectoral information. However, challenges to its sustainability include the need for continued technical assistance and the development of a sustainable funding mechanism. The study also identified future recommendations to strengthen SNIS, including the need for continued technical assistance and the development of a sustainable funding mechanism. Additionally, the study found that factors such as the need for a clear policy framework, the importance of stakeholder engagement, and the need for ongoing training and capacity building should be observed when applying HEPP's approach to support the development of information systems in other contexts. The implementation of SNIS has contributed to efforts to increase the effectiveness of policy and program decisions by responding to administrative needs and calls for transparency. The system has also responded to the need for evidence to evaluate processes and outcomes. The use of SNIS has improved the ability of the government of Guatemala and civil society to monitor the country's social development and make informed decisions about social programs and policies.