Cohesion policy: methodology and indicators towards common approach

The territorial cohesion is a focal object of the regional programming period 2007-2013. This paper aims to purpose a critical review of the cohesion conceptualisation and of its measure, starting from an exchange of experiences and from an initial institutional demand inspired to regional projects foreseen in 2013 programme (ESPON Seminar 2008; French Green paper on Cohesion 2008). Starting from a literature review and from the basic question of indicators, the paper aims to enhance territorial cohesion, measuring its different levels at local, national and European level. The author takes a methodological approach to analyse and to detect a set of territorial cohesion indicators and to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency of indicators’ systems, currently used to measure this territorial dimension (STeMA). This kind of approach is relevant to the programming period of new Structural Funds, looking at the French Green Paper 2008, implementing the 2007-13 Programme.