Systematic registration of vital and civil events - including birth, death, causes of death, marriage, and divorce - is critical for improving maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health. Integrated into existing health information systems, these statistics become valuable evidence, giving policymakers and practitioners the knowledge they need to review the circumstances leading to each maternal and child death, identify preventable factors, and take action where needed. However, such crucial information systems are lacking in many countries. It is estimated that one-third of the world's births and two-thirds of the world's deaths are not registered or are incorrectly certified. Where global norms, standards, tools, and promising practices exist, they are not readily accessible and usable to those who need them most. Funded by Global Affairs Canada and IDRC, and housed at IDRC, the Centre of Excellence for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Systems will link knowledge seekers with information, tools, and expertise to facilitate the development and implementation of integrated CRVS systems. The Centre of Excellence will coordinate with existing expert groups to generate, consolidate and disseminate information, including by developing an open-access, electronic platform to make key resources readily accessible. It will facilitate exchange of good practices and capacity strengthening, and will play an important role brokering technical assistance for countries needing more direct support. This project will allow the Centre of Excellence to support countries in accessing the technical expertise they need to develop and implement effective CRVS systems. This includes developing and maintaining a roster of experts for the Centre of Excellence and CRVS stakeholders at the country level to draw on as appropriate. The project will also allow the Centre of Excellence to contract expert advice and accompaniment, convene and/or participate in stakeholder meetings, as well as undertake CRVS systems gap analysis and priority setting analysis. In addition to facilitating access to technical expertise, the RSP will enable specific training for country representatives working to develop and/or implement their CRVS systems plans and it will structure peer learning opportunities to address specific gaps at the country level. The Centre of Excellence will also support locally based institutions in countries eligible for financing from the Global Financing Facility to ensure in-country CRVS systems expertise for sustainability.