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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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