This report presents the first results of WP2 of the HEATCO project. It is meant to present the reader state-of-the-art insights into transport project appraisal. We do this by first trying to indicate existing evaluation frameworks in countries. Based on the research carried out in the HEATCO project so far, we discuss the advantages and drawbacks of main elements of evaluation harmonisation. Furthermore, we deal with those methodological questions that demand a choice to be made in the harmonisation framework. Bearing this in mind, the current paper is in fact an issue paper to guide further research in the HEATCO project: it is meant to identify the relevant issues for further research, and to indicate the questions that will have to be answered. The structure of this report is as follows: In chapter 2 we provide an international comparison of evaluation frameworks, to see what we can learn from existing practice. We have included here the current practices in the US and Japan, as well as Britain, Germany and the Netherlands. In chapter 3 we deal with the general/cross cutting issues that cover different aspects of harmonisation within appraisal methodology. Chapter 4 generalizes the technical questions that were posed by EUNET and places these in broader context of the question of two different modes of harmonization: EU-averages or country specific values? In chapter 5 we draw main conclusions with regard to the research agenda, based on the previous chapters. In the annex the minutes of the first HEATCO workshop with stakeholders held on the 14th of April in Brussels are included.