Monitoring the SDGs in Puglia region, Italy

This report presents and discusses the methodological approach for validating the regional monitoring set for the SDGs in the framework of the REGIONS2030 project for the Puglia region. It describes available indicators and criteria used to select proxy and additional indicators to the ones proposed by the JRC. The initial JRC indicator set to monitor the sustainable development goals at the regional level appears to offer an adequate comprehension of the regional goals’ achievement. More specifically, collecting and analysing data for 65 indicators out of the 83 identified by the JRC was possible. Of these, 39 are perfectly aligned with the data source suggested by the JRC, while for the remaining 26, alternative data sources had to be used, but still based on official statistics. The analysis of statistical trends for both the short and long run shows how the Puglia Region is evolving between lights and shadows. Approximately half of the 65 indicators for which data were collected report a trend in the expected direction. The trend is particularly favourable in the following goals: 1 (no poverty), 7 (clean energy), 9 (innovation), 16 (peace) and 17 (partnerships). In contrast, the direction seems to go away from the desired direction in the following goals: 4 (education), 5 (gender equality) and 8 (decent work). These results may contribute to better recalibrating the monitoring plan of the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy in Puglia.