Launch of our Household Surveys in Southeast Europe

19 August 2024

From May 29 to June 13, 2024, the RuWell team, consisting of Arjola, Antje, and Arbnora, conducted a field trip to Albania and Kosovo. This trip marked the launch of the Household Surveys in Southeast Europe (SEE), starting with Albania and Kosovo. The surveys aim to understand the factors influencing rural residents' intentions to stay in their communities, focusing on their attachment to their place of residence and living conditions. Data will be collected on various aspects, including socio-demographics, staying intentions, place attachment, and quality of life.

The fieldwork was divided into two phases. In the first phase, the RuWell team organized interviewer training sessions in Albania and Kosovo. In these sessions, the interviewers were familiarized with the objectives and modules of the survey, the sampling strategy, the selection of the respondents, and the Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) software. In the second phase, the team participated in the pre-testing phase in collaboration with partner institutions in Albania and Kosovo and observed interviewers in the field. This pre-testing was crucial for adapting and modifying the survey based on field observations and feedback. Following the field trip, the surveys started in all four SEE countries, including Moldova and Romania. For logistical reasons, data collection was outsourced to external companies, Magenta in Moldova and Unlock in Romania. Data collection has already been completed for Albania and Moldova and is expected to be completed by the end of August 2024 for Kosovo and Romania.

As part of this extensive fieldwork, Arbnora had the opportunity to supervise enumerators in a village in Kosovo. This hands-on experience was invaluable in understanding the practical challenges and dynamics of data collection in rural areas as set by the team of enumerators in Kosovo. Their friendly demeanor and patient approach were highly effective in engaging respondents, who often needed encouragement to provide detailed responses. Overall, Arbnora was impressed with the enumerators' dedication and attention to detail, despite the hot August weather, and the respondents' willingness to devote their time to this survey.

This monitoring experience not only provided her with insights into the practical aspects of survey implementation but also highlighted the importance of flexibility and adaptability in fieldwork. The support and cooperation from the enumerators, as well as the local residents, were crucial in making this a successful endeavor.