Develop a governance database

A governance database is another primary facilitator for evidence-based policymaking. Data may inform planning and policy priorities and also may strengthen monitoring and evaluation of governance targets as articulated in national development plans. Developing a national database may be an important step in institutionalizing a culture of evidence-based policymaking.
 
Developing a national governance database enhances transparency and accountability by enabling citizens, civil society organizations, political parties, media and government to access information without prejudice or bias regarding a particular social group, and thus to monitor progress, trends and changes in the quality of governance. 
 
Establishing a national governance database also makes information on governance performance a public good. Public scrutiny is an intrinsic part of deepening democratic governance, and the act of developing a national database is in itself a statement from government that providing information on governance performance is in the interest of the public.
 
Furthermore, developing a national governance database may:
 

• Serve as an important step for improving data availability and quality in the most critical governance areas
• Support national coordination mechanisms between ministries, statistical offices and other relevant institutions and civil society that produce and use governance data
• Strengthen the national evidence base for informing donor assessments and governance analysis
• Increase the ability to respond to national, regional and international data requests