The methodological database MARS Berthold Feldmann Eurostat

Background In 2000, methodological meta-data on regional statistics was collected and published for the (then) candidate countries In 2002, a first project to enrich this information with meta-data from the (then) 15 Member States Failed because of the Eurostat crisis In 2005 a new start to collect methodological information on 25 Member States plus Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Turkey Finalised in March 2007

Problems encountered Administrative Too ambitious timeframe Methodological Available information at Eurostat could not be used Technical Redesign of the MARS database proofed to be necessary Resistance Some countries decided not to participate

State of play

State of play by country

State of play by country (2)

Where do we go from here? Providing meta-data will remain part of the ESS quality charter to which all NSIs have subscribed Countries that have difficulty to send MARS data may receive support from Eurostat Bilateral dialogue needed An update frequency of every three years seems reasonable Next update in 2009 A similar meta-data website for the Urban Audit should be envisaged Above all a task of rearranging the existing information

Thank you for your attention! Any questions?