Indicators and targets

The policy objectives to be measured with explicit targets on public services provision of the National Strategic Reference Framework for 2007-2013 (NSRF) were selected on the basis of a certain requirements:

• strategic importance for regional development policy;
• public action is relevant for their achievement;
• they are understood and agreed and therefore active participation of citizens is encouraged;
• they represent a remarkable improvement in the living standards of people;
• they enhance the general background conditions for economic activity.

Progress in achieving the four objectives selected (Education, Child and elderly care, Urban waste management, Water service) is assessed on the basis of eleven statistical indicators that measure services provision.

The indicators were selected on the basis of compliance with three requirements:

• Measurability: the indicators are provided by a certified statistical source, information is available at the needed territorial level, with the same methodology and timely;
• Accountability: the institutions (different levels of government) responsible for the implementation and delivery of the services must be clearly identified;
• Public understanding and sharing: the indicators are easily comprehensible so that democratic control can be spurred.

The same target at 2013 is selected for all the regions in order to ensure a minimum threshold of service availability and therefore equitable access to services. The target values are consistent with normative targets such as the ones set by European Directives and National Laws.