I-Marker: Evaluating European Inequality Policies

Equality is at the core of the European Union’s social model, and reducing inequality underpins many EU policies. Ecorys developed an E-learning module to familiarize European Commission staff and others with the tool. The introduction of the Inequality Marker (I-Marker) provides the European Commission with a new tool to evaluate policies related to reducing inequality.

Policies aimed at reducing socio-economic inequalities can unintentionally increase them. Evaluating policy effects is therefore crucial. The I-Marker measures policies on their goal of reducing inequality possible. It simultaneously evaluates the impact on reducing inequality within member states. The tool is used to assign points to policies on the basis of four criteria.

The overall goal of the I-Marker is to promote on of the key targets of SDG 10 to gradually achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40% of the population at a rate above the national average by 2030.

The I-Marker contributes to this because it improves the design process of policy interventions, thereby enhancing their inequality-reducing effect. It also creates a reporting and benchmarking system that can evaluate inequality-reducing policy measures, while adequately reflecting the multidimensionality of inequality.

Ecorys developed an E-learning module for the I-Marker, since a tool is only as good as its user’s familiarity with it. The module is a self-paced online course that gives insight into the tool’s practical application. It is also designed to offer flexibility, with the option to skip modules based on people’s existing knowledge or preferences. The courses takes two hours and participants receive a certificate once they complete it. The course is accessible for everyone through creating an EU Login. Access the module here to familiarize yourself with the I-Marker.

The final report can be found on the website of the European Commission.