Core Indicators: Definitions and Use Adam Abdulwahab, Evaluation Unit DG REGIO Evaluation Network Meeting Brussels, 13 November 2008

Development of definitions Two conflicting dimensions Indicator definitions should vary according to programme needs Indicators should be precisely defined for unambiguous use Commission is required to report at aggregate level urged to provide guidance covering also definitions by some MS Recommended definitions based on information from MS and use

Difficulties with baselines and targets Use of Core Indicators Actual use varies MS use core indicators to various extents Not all OPs use relevant core indicators Difficulties with baselines and targets Determining baselines Relation between baseline and target First experiences of using SFC2007 Difficult to use In some cases core indicators are typed in manually => losing possibility to aggregate Measurement units vary

Remove link between indicators and expenditure categories Issues for Discussion Remove link between indicators and expenditure categories Baselines and targets – unified treatment needed Abandon baselines (all baselines zero; target equals change) Keeping baselines but target equals change (baseline + target = objective to be reached) Targets include baseline (target = baseline + change) Core indicators List: proposed modifications Definitions: flexibility vs. common understanding Reporting: simplification with wide coverage