2.3 Project outputs, results and indicators

2.3.1 Programme and project logic

The Interreg NPA programme has defined 3 priorities to be able to achieve its overall vision; “a Northern Periphery and Arctic area where communities cooperate with each other to harness opportunities, find common solutions to shared challenges and together become more prosperous and resilient.”

Inside each priority, the programme has defined a number of specific objectives to help achieve each priority. Inside each specific objective, you can find a description of the types of actions supported, tailored to needs in the programme area, as well as envisaged target groups.

For each specific objective the following logic is applied, with

• achievements of the projects supported by the programme, measured through output indicators, which projects will report on and are based on their immediate achievements;

• the results of projects, measured and expected to contribute to the medium-long term impacts on the overall programme objectives.

These elements together form the programme intervention logic, see figure 1 in the next page.

A similar logic should also be found in the project setup. This means that all elements of a project application should be put together in a coherent and logical way, from the choice of activities, the envisaged outputs and results, and how these are measured in indicators, in order to achieve the overall objective of the project. The logic should also be supported by a suitable partnership and a coherent budget.

The programme logic forms the basis for the types of projects that the programme wishes to fund, in order to achieve the programme’s overall vision. For this reason, it is important that projects carefully match their project idea with a programme priority and specific objective. The best starting point is the description of actions supported inside each programme specific objective. In this way, the project logic and the programme logic are connected.

2.3.2    Performance framework

As required by the Common Provisions Regulation, the Interreg NPA Programme has established a performance framework with: 

• Output and result indicators linked to programme specific objectives;

• Milestones to be achieved by the end of the year 2024 for output indicators; and

• Final targets to be achieved by the end of the year 2029 for output and result indicators.

The programme level milestones and targets will be achieved through the combined effort of projects funded by the programme.

For the 2021-2027 period, a set of common indicators was defined in the ERDF Regulation, allowing easier and more consistent reporting across all ERDF programmes in Europe. Among these are Interreg specific indicators, which are tailored to the types of outputs and results that Interreg projects typically produce, broad enough to capture most project actions, and allowing for a good comparison and aggregation with other transnational programmes.

The Interreg NPA has chosen a combination of Interreg specific indicators across specific objectives, and some thematic indicators, where appropriate and feasible for Interreg projects to report on. A full description of the common output and result indicators including the methodology can be found in the annex of the Commission Staff Working Document^[1].

A good indicator system is a useful tool, by giving an accurate picture of project and programme progress.

In addition, the indicator system can help support a better communication of project and programme results, by collecting useful data and information in practical formats for further processing and online sharing.

Indicators can help quantify outputs and results. However, it is important to be aware of their limitations. Indicators can only capture some aspects of the wide range of results that projects and programmes deliver. In addition, indicator values are only as good as their underlying documentation. For this reason, a good indicator system should always be part of a wider evaluation strategy, which has the capacity to capture also the more intangible impacts, which are no less valuable than the tangible impacts of transnational cooperation.

2.3.3   Project Outputs

Projects are expected to deliver viable outputs, whose impacts contribute to programme objectives. Each of the Priorities have been designed to focus project applicants on delivering tangible, durable outputs, assisting the delivery of the programme’s ambitions of measurable, positive changes in the Programme area.

Project outputs are defined as the outcome of the activities funded, describing what will actually be produced for the funds granted to the project, with the aim of leading to a positive impact on the project’s target groups. For example, a new jointly developed solution, a jointly developed pilot action, a jointly developed strategy or action plan, a certain number of SMEs supported, etc. An output should be captured by a programme output indicator, and directly contribute to the achievement of the result indicator(s).

Project outputs are expected to be transnational in nature, meaning that they are based on the added value of transnational cooperation. The degree of transnationality is measured according to 4 cooperation criteria:

• Joint development (compulsory): partners have to be involved in an integrated way in developing ideas, priorities and actions in the project development process.

• Joint implementation (compulsory): project activities must be carried out by partners in a cooperative way that ensures clear content-based links and be coordinated by the Lead Partner.

• Joint financing (compulsory): the joint project budget shall be organised in line with activities carried out by each project partner. The Lead Partner is responsible for the administration and reporting towards the programme bodies as well as the distribution of the funds to the partners.

• Joint staffing (optional): the project should not duplicate functions within the partnership. In particular, project management functions should be appointed only once at project level.

Ideally, outputs should also bring a transnational experience to the end users of the project outputs. 

Other expectations for project outputs:

• Concrete: the outputs are recognisable as a tangible solution, and they have an impact on end users.

• Innovative: the outputs go beyond existing practice in the sector/programme area/participating countries, or adapt or transfer already developed solutions.

• Focused: the outputs contribute directly to the project main objective and the intended result.

• Relevant: the development of the outputs is based on target group demands. Also, the outputs take into account the current situation in each partner area.

• Viable: the outputs are supported by realistic delivery models and appropriate promotional plans that allow the project output to provide a significant and durable contribution to solving the challenges targeted, also when the project support ends. In addition, the outputs are applicable and replicable, e.g. transferable to other areas than the partner areas.

• Value-for-money: the development and implementation of the outputs is proportional to the challenge or opportunity addressed, and the expected benefit/impact/return on investment. If applicable, the money generating or money saving aspect can be demonstrated.

Overall, project activities and outputs are expected to take into account or make a positive impact on the horizontal principles. This means that the activities should strive for sustainable development, with equal opportunities for men and women, non-discrimination and accessibility and inclusion of underrepresented groups, including indigenous peoples and other culturally and linguistically distinct groups originating from the NPA area. Activities should be carried out with respect for fundamental rights. For more information, please see chapter 2.5 on Horizontal Principles.

2.3.4    How to choose output indicators

Progress on the delivery of project outputs is measured through output indicators. A set of output indicators has been defined for each programme specific objective, see below.

Table 4 - Output indicators

First, applicants are expected to carefully select the output indicator(s) best matching the outputs that the project plans to develop. Definitions for each output indicator can be found in Annex 6.

Second, applicants must set a realistic target value for the output indicator, which they expect to achieve by the end of the project lifetime. For each output indicator, the programme has made an assumption about the average output achievement a project can reach, based on the performance framework. See Annex 6.3. However, each project has its own rationale and setup, and should therefore only use the assumption as a general guidance. The baseline is always zero.

Third, the application should provide details demonstrating how the achievement of the output indicator(s) will be evidenced through supporting documentation. It is important that projects from the start plan how they will collect data and documentation, to be able to support the achievement of the output indicator in progress reports. This includes, where relevant, testimonials from end users of the output. Applicants will receive further guidance on reporting on indicators after project approval.

2.3.5   Project Results

The project result is the direct impact of carrying out the project, describing how the project outputs benefit the target groups of the project.

In the application, applicants are expected to describe what they aim to change through the activities implemented and the outputs delivered by the project. The project result should contribute to the result indicator(s).

2.3.6   How to choose result indicators

A set of result indicators has been defined for each programme specific objective, see below.

Table 5 - Result indicators

First, applicants are expected to carefully select the indicator(s) best matching the result that the project aims to realise. Definitions for each result indicator can be found in Annex 6.2.

 In the case of Interreg indicators, there is a logical connection between certain output and result indicators.

Table 6 - Connection between Interreg output and result indicators

Second, applicants must set a realistic target value for the result indicator, which they expect to achieve by the end of the project lifetime. For each output indicator, the programme has made an assumption about the average result achievement a project can reach, based on the performance framework. See chapter 6.4. However, each project has its own rationale and setup, and should therefore only use the assumption as a general guidance. The baseline is always zero.

Third, the application should provide more details about the change expected for each chosen result indicator, on the basis of the outputs developed. The project should describe what the result will look like in the context of the project, and plan for collecting data and documentation, to be able to support the achievement of the result indicator in progress reports. This includes, where relevant, testimonials from target group(s) impacted by the result. Applicants will receive further guidance on reporting on indicators after project approval.

[1] Commission Staff Working Document SWD(2021)198: Performance, monitoring and evaluation of the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the Just Transition Fund in 2021-2027 Link