Pilot project, developing a common methodology on reference budgets in Europe : proposal for a method for comparable reference budgets in Europe : final report

This is the final report of the 'Pilot project on developing a common methodology on reference budgets in Europe', financed by the European Commission. Reference budgets are illustrative priced baskets of goods and services, that represent a certain living standard. In this project, the targeted living standard corresponded to the minimum financial resources required for adequate social participation. The project had three main objectives. The first was to establish a reference budgets network composed of key experts and representative stakeholders, at national and EU level, to share experiences and expertise on reference budgets. The second objective was to develop a theoretical framework and a common methodology for developing cross-nationally comparable reference budgets in European Member States. The third goal of the project was to develop comparable food baskets for the capital city of a maximum number of Member States and as many as possible other baskets for the capital city of a selection of countries. In the end, a food basket has been developed for 26 EU Member States, and a basket for health care, personal care and housing for eight EU Member States.