Core indicators for design and monitoring of EU-funded interventions

You can download the full list of core indicators available in OPSYS here (version from 29/02/2024)

Definition and sources of EU core indicators

Core indicators are predefined good practice indicators. Core indicators draw on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Gender Action Plan (GAP III),  the Global Europe Results Framework (GERF), Results and Indicators Guidance, NDICI Regulation, FPI Performance Framework, IPA III Results Framework among other relevant documents. Different kinds exist, namely:

  1. Core indicators used for corporate monitoring and reporting such as: all 17 SDG (Tier I), FPI PF, GERF level 1, GERF level 2, GAP III and IPA PF indicators
  2. Sector-specific indicators, grouped by the European Commission priorities:  
    1. Green Deal: Climate Change, Energy, Green Economy, Nutrition, Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Aquatic and Agri-Food Systems, Sustainable Transport, Oceans
    2. Jobs and Sustainable Growth: Education, Employment and VET, Private sector, Trade
    3. Human Development, Peace and Governance: Conflict Sensitivity and Peace, Countering Violent Extremism, Health, Human Rights, Justice and Rule of Law, Resilience, Security Sector Reform, Social Protection, Water and Sanitation, Democracy (Media, Civil Registration, Parliaments), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
    4. Digital and Data Technologies: Cybersecurity and Digitalisation
    5. Migrations and Mobility: Forced Displacement and Remittances
    6. European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD)

A list of core indicators by sectors is available at the top of this page.

Use of EU core indicators in OPSYS

The selected core indicators for the EU external actions are aligned with DG INTPA, NEAR and FPI policy priorities. OPSYS suggests them in a drop-down list when users are creating their interventions' logframes. Search and filter functions are available. 

OPSYS provides these indicators to enhance the quality of EC's interventions design and monitoring. The use of core indicators is not mandatory but highly recommended, as it allows results to be aggregated across interventions and promotes the use of standardized information across European Union-funded interventions in partner countries. We particularly encourage the use of core indicators used for corporate monitoring like GERF. Users are able to encode customized indicators, to complete the scope of core indicators. 

For further information about OPSYS or instruction on how to use of core indicators please check EU External Action wiki where you can find the FAQ for Implementing Partners on logframes in OPSYS and e-Learning Videos

Timeline

INTPA is adding further core indicators (as well as groups) into OPSYS. You can check this page regularly for the latest list.

Monitoring and reporting results through OPSYS

Since 2021, the European Commission is using OPSYS, an IT platform, to monitor EU-funded interventions outside the European Union and, simultaneously to report on results. We are carrying out the EU external actions results campaign of 2022 directly in OPSYS , namely thanks to the active participation of Operational Managers and Implementing Partners. Our objective is to bring in more efficient, transparent and results-oriented planning, management, and follow-up of EU external actions.

The logical framework approach, includes the narration of a theory of change (an intervention logic) and takes the form of a Logical Framework Matrix (logframe). The latter is the key internal monitoring tool used for results monitoring in OPSYS.

The logframe presents the results that should be generated by an intervention at different time horizons. Result levels (outputs, outcomes and impact) are accompanied by indicators to measure (contribution to) their achievement. Commission services and implementing partners are accessing intervention logframes through OPSYS, as a basis for regular monitoring and reporting.