Italy
Programmes summaries :
Operational programme 2007-13: Veneto
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Operational programme 2007-13: Valle d'Aosta
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Operational programme 2007-13: Umbria
1. Operational Programme "Regional Operational Programme for Umbria (2007-2013)" - Programme under the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
2. Overview
On 4 October 2007, the European Commission approved a Regional Operational Programme for the region of Umbria in Italy for the 2007-2013 period. The Operational Programme falls within the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective framework and has a total budget of around €348 million. Community investment through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to some €150 million, which represents approximately 0.5% of the total financial support earmarked for Italy under the Cohesion Policy for 2007-13.
3. Aim and purpose of the programme
The main goal of the Umbria Regional Operational Programme is to improve the general quality of life of the region's inhabitants by boosting regional competitiveness and supporting sustainable development. The Programme will focus on research and innovation, identified as a critical area, and sustainable development. In particular, the programme will strengthen both supply and demand for technologies and services having a reduced impact on the environment. It will also support improved business efficiency. In addition, the Programme will further develop a knowledge-based economy through the enhancement of competitive structures, improved access to and efficient use of ICT while guaranteeing environmental sustainability.
By promoting competitiveness, innovative economic structures and sustainable development, this Programme will be an important tool for realising the objectives laid down in the revised Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs, as it allocates some 62% of its total budget to this end. The region aims to:
- boost competitiveness through research and innovation (46%)
- reduce carbon emissions through the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency (15%)
- enhance the attractiveness of the region with a particular focus on accessibility and urban development (21%).
4. Expected impact of investments
The Programme aims to create 2000 new jobs. Among expected impacts for 2013 is a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions of 49.340 tonnes per year. In addition, the Programme will ensure conditions for protecting and improving the quality of the environment and mobilise further resources for risk prevention and research into renewable energies.
5. Priorities
The Umbria Regional Operational Programme is structured along the following priority axes:
Priority 1: Innovation and the knowledge economy [approximately 46.7% of total funding]
This priority focuses on assistance to innovation and the knowledge economy with a particular emphasis on the revised Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs. The priority will pursue support to Research& Development (R&D) through the enhancement of networking, clusters and the creation of centres of competence. Support will also be given to the development of the innovative capacities of industry and technology and ICT, particularly in the field of local economic development.
Priority 2: Environment and natural risk prevention [approximately 15.0% of total funding]
This priority aims to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of Umbria, thus reflecting the region's objectives of improving environmental sustainability. Financial resources will be used mainly to fund technical infrastructure for observing, detecting, monitoring, predicting and providing early warnings on a wide range of water-related hazards. The region intends to promote the protection and improvement of the environment and to prepare adequate responses to environmental risk.
Priority 3: Energy efficiency and development of renewable energy [approximately 15.0% of total funding]
The priority aims both to reduce energy consumption and to increase energy production from renewable sources in an effort to reduce atmospheric pollution and climate-changing emissions significantly.
Priority 4: Accessibility and urban development [approximately 21.0% of total funding]
The priority is characterized by a strong territorial approach and will be implemented through territorial or urban integrated Programmes focussing on accessibility and sustainable mobility. The widespread use of forms of transport, which have a reduced environmental impact, will be encouraged, as will urban rehabilitation and development.
Priority 5: Technical assistance [approximately 3.0% of total funding]
Technical assistance will be used to implement the Programme. It covers administration, monitoring, evaluation, control as well as information and publicity.
6. Managing Authority: Regional Management Board – Umbria, Italy
Contact details:
Mr. Lucio Caporizzi
Director of the Programming Directorate, Region of Umbria
Via M. Angeloni, 61
I – 06124 PERUGIA
Italy
Tel.: + 39 075 504 56 96
Fax.: + 39 075 504 56 95
E-mail : programmazione@regione.umbria.it
Operational programme 2007-2013: Puglia
1. Operational Programme Puglia under the Convergence co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
2. Overview
On 20 November 2007, the European Commission approved an Operational Programme for Puglia for the period 2007-13.
The Operational Programme falls within the framework laid out for the Convergence objective and has a total budget of around € 5.2 billion. Community assistance through the ERDF amounts to € 2.6 billion.
3. Purpose and aim of the programme
Cohesion policy in Puglia for the 2007-2013 period aims principally at promoting full convergence of the region in terms of growth and employment, while ensuring sustainability.
The regional operational programme for Puglia co-financed by ERDF has three objectives:
- enhancing the attractiveness of the region, by improving accessibility, guaranteeing the quality of its services and by safeguarding the potential of the environment. This will be achieved through a sustainable development model based on greater efficiency of energy consumption and a significant increase in the production of renewable energy;
- promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and development of the knowledge economy and also by promoting specialisation and productive districts;
- creating increased conditions of well-being and social inclusion.
These objectives of the ERDF programme will work in conjunction with a number of transversal macro-objectives which are of fundamental importance for Puglia. These are to be found in each of the main areas of intervention:
- Sustainable development
- Equal opportunities
- Spatial dimension of development
4. Expected impact of investments
The expected impacts of the PUGLIA programme, one of the largest ERDF programme in Italy are the following:
A growth rate in GDP between 2.4 and 3.1% (average annual percentage variation in real terms).
A growth rate in employment which will reach a level of between 48.6 and 50%.
Reduction in greenhouse gases, in particular CO2, is estimated at around 6.5%, as a result of improved public transport, with the accent on rail transport and a subsequent reduction in the use of cars. This will also be achieved through a steady increase in the production of renewable energies.
Operational targets in term of sustainable transport modes, separate waste collection, share of energy from renewable energies, off peak season tourism and Research and Development (R&D) public and private expenditure have been set, allowing a more strategic follow up of the programme (not just financial).
5. Priorities
The ERDF operational programme for Puglia is made up of 8 priorities:
Priority 1: "Promotion and dissemination of research and innovation for competitiveness
In line with the Lisbon strategy, the main aim is to increase the contribution of research and innovation and the Information Society to regional competitiveness; by emphasizing the close links between knowledge and the capacity of regional production to successfully take on the challenges of global markets. Increasing the present levels of regional innovation requires, in particular, an approach based on dissemination of knowledge among enterprises and the economic system as a whole.
Special attention will be paid to supporting the development of services in the advanced digital field; particularly with regard to SMEs and also with regard to innovative public services for enterprises and for the region's inhabitants.
Priority 2: "Sustainable and efficient use of environmental and energy resources for development"
In line with the Goteborg guidelines; this priority aims to promote the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources, guaranteeing environmental sustainability and adequate levels of environmental services for the public and for enterprise. Special attention will be paid to optimizing an integrated cycle of water and waste resources, as well as prevention of soil erosion; natural and technological risks.
The programme will contribute to improve the energy efficiency and increase the amount of energy produced from renewable resources with a view to significantly reducing emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Priority 3: "Social inclusion and services to enhance the quality of life and the attractiveness of the region
The priority's main aim is to guarantee wellbeing and safety of the region's inhabitants and generally to improve conditions affecting development. Regional priorities will therefore be focused on a) strengthening social and health infrastructure networks and improving accessibility to services in urban areas and other areas b) increasing care services to individuals and families, c) creating new enterprises in the social care and health sectors: Special attention will be paid to increasing the safety and legality of the environment in which the region's inhabitants and enterprises work.
Priority 4: "Promoting the potential of natural and cultural resources to improve the attractiveness and development of the region
The main aim of this priority is to attract more tourists. This will be achieved by integrating environment and cultural policies and the tourism industry.
The priority will focus on innovative projects aimed at raising regional competitiveness by directing those working in the tourism industry towards product and market niches with the greatest value added; the aim being to attract more foreign tourists to the area and to encourage out-of-season tourism. The emphasis will be on promoting an integrated image of Puglia in terms of hospitality and the quality of services offered.
In promoting new forms of tourism, the regional strategy will focus on promoting the environment, the ecosystem and biodiversity. The starting point will be the National Park of the Gargano and numerous other protected areas.
Priority 5: "Networks and mobility links"
Almost all the interventions under this priority relate to strengthening sustainable forms of transport (rail and ports).
The programme intends to improve regional mobility; in particular a) to create a regional public transport system which is integrated in terms of networks, services and tariffs b) to develop local and urban transport networks which are sustainable and accessible c) to create an integrated and multifunctional regional logistic platform capable of strengthening the situation of entrepreneurs in the region, also by attracting national and foreign investment and by creating accessible services to commercial traffic in the Mediterranean.
Priority 6: "Competitiveness of productive systems and employment
The priority will support the structural transformation of regional industry. Support will be given to the competitive repositioning of traditional sectors, particularly exposed to competition from newly industrialized countries by supporting start-ups and the consolidation of firms producing specialised goods with value added. The regional strategy aims to create conditions which will improve the advantages of localisation and support the strategies of the productive system to expand to international markets. It will also strengthen networks and production chain strategies.
The priority will provide aid on a selective basis, with assistance to environmental sustainability projects, and facilitate access to credit and capital risk for SMEs.
Priority 7: “Competitiveness and attractiveness of cities and urban systems
The priority will support initiatives focused on enhancing the historical, cultural and environmental resources of Puglia's cities and urban areas which might risk being abandoned.
Two types of intervention are foreseen a) integrated urban development plans characterised by initiatives aimed at environmental sustainability and enhancement and, in particular, which will seek to contain the expansion of cities. This intervention is aimed at medium-sized cities and/or at large cities with physical, social and/or economic problems b) integrated development plans conceived for small town centres and aimed at improving infrastructure networks (such as transport, ecology networks aimed at reconnecting with the natural and cultural environment) as well as regenerating abandoned industrial areas and other areas.
Priority 8: “Governance, institutional capacity and competitive and efficient markets
The regional development of a region depends in large part on the role played by public administration.
The aim of this priority is to increase the capacity of administrations involved in programming and management of ERDF funds and in strengthening the involvement of the economic and social partners. Particular attention will be paid to initiatives which support the participation of diverse types of public and private actors in the implementation and evaluation of the operational programme and also in the programme’s information and publication activities.
6. Managing Authority
Director of Programme and Community Policy Sector – Puglia
Dr. Luca Celi
Direzione Generale Programmemazione e Finanza
Viale Caduti di tutte le guerre 15
70126 - Bari
E-mail: settoreprogrammemazione@regione.puglia.it
Internet: http://www.europuglia.it/
Programme opérationnel 2007-2013: Basilicate
1. Operational programme for Community assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the "Convergence" objective in the region of Basilicata
2. On 7 December 2007, the European Commission adopted the operational programme for Community assistance (2007-2013) from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as transitional support for the "Convergence" objective for the Basilicata region. The total cost of the programme is EUR 752.18 million, and it benefits from a Community contribution of EUR 300.87 million.
3. Strategic objectives and priorities of the operational programme
The industrial fabric of the region, specialised in manufacturing and agri-foods, would benefit from increased research and innovation capacity and better relations between SMEs and the banking system, in order to make it more competitive.
With this in mind, the programme aims to improve technology transfer mechanisms between the university, public research centres and enterprises so as to enable the region to better exploit its full potential.
Moreover, Basilicata is characterised by the wealth of its cultural resources and an extraordinary natural environment. Exploiting its historical heritage and natural assets, preserving the environment in the broad sense and promoting tourism-related activities will all contribute to its development.
The aim of the programme is to contribute significantly to the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy (57% of the expenditure will target these objectives), with substantial funding allocated for research, technology transfer, innovation and boosting entrepreneurship.
4. Estimate of the impact of the EU’s investment
The following objectives in particular have been laid down (initial estimates):
- creation of 8 000 jobs;
- carbon neutrality of the programme (the projects supported must not, overall, lead to additional greenhouse gas emissions);
- greater expenditure by public and private enterprises in the R&D sector (rising from 0.20% to 0.35% of the local industrial product (LIP);
- increase in the number of patents registered with the European Patent Office, from 9.3 to 38 per million inhabitants;
- increase in the number of enterprises with access to broadband, from 50 to 85;
- increase in the proportion of electricity consumption originating from renewable sources, from 15.9% to 18%.
5. The operational programme has eight priorities:
Priority 1: Accessibility
The measures planned under this priority are intended to contribute to improving the accessibility of persons and goods to transport services which respect the environment, and in particular to improve railway connections and better link up different modes of transport.
Initiatives will be implemented to connect regional and provincial routes to the Trans-European Transport Networks and to improve connections between the "Potenza-Melfi-Foggia", "Potenza-Salerno-Naples" and "Potenza-Matera-Bari" axes.
Priority 2: Knowledge society
This priority will be dedicated to boosting research, disseminating innovation, developing information and communication technologies (ITC) in the general government sector and in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-enterprises. Particular attention will be paid to industrial research programmes, in close cooperation with SMEs, universities and research centres for the development and dissemination of technologies with a positive impact on the environment, reinforcing productive areas of regional interest, growth and employment.
Priority 3: Competitiveness of production
The aim is to make production in the region more competitive on the Italian and international markets and to promote the growth of SMEs by developing their innovative potential, especially by improving their performance in the areas of energy and the environment, in order to facilitate their access to new markets in a global economic context and to attract external investment to the region.
Priority 4: Exploitation of cultural and natural assets
With a view to environmentally friendly tourism development, the aim is to make the region more attractive by exploiting the wealth of all its cultural and natural resources and biodiversity.
Priority 5: Urban systems
This strand seeks to exploit the cities of Potenza and Matera as "drivers of regional development" by reinforcing innovative urban networks, disseminating high-quality services and improving the well-being of the local population. Two objectives have been set in this context:
Priority 6: Social inclusion
The aim is to support economic, social and territorial cohesion, whilst improving access to public and collective services, especially social services.
Priority 7: Energy and sustainable development
The programme will promote the production and use of renewable energy sources and stimulate activities to promote energy savings. It will also help to improve environmental service standards to protect the health and safety of citizens and enterprises.
Priority 8: Governance and technical assistance
The technical assistance will allow the cofunding of management, monitoring, evaluation, promotion, information and communication activities.
6. Managing authority
Cecilia Salvia
Region of Basilicata
Acting Director
"Implementation and Community programmes" at the C.I.C.O.
(Comitato Interdipendente di Coordinamento Organizzativo – Interdependent Organisational Coordination Committee)
Viale della Regione Basilicata 4,
I-85100 Potenza
Operational programme Italy-Austria 2007-2013
1. Operational Programme "INTERREG IV A Italy – Austria" under the European territorial co-operation objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
2. The European Commission approved on 18 September 2007 a European territorial co-operation programme for cross-border co-operation between Italy and Austria for the period 2007-2013, the "INTERREG IV A Italy - Austria".
This programme involves Community support for the regions of Bolzano/Bozen, Belluno, Udine, Klagenfurt-Villach, Oberkärnten, Pinzgau-Pongau, Tiroler Oberland, Innsbruck, Tiroler Unterland and Osttirol along the Italian – Austrian border. Other regions of both countries can participate in the projects as adjacent areas receiving a maximum of 20% of the ERDF funding allocated to the programme. These regions are Gorizia, Pordenone, Treviso, Vicenza, Außerfern, Lungau, Unterkärnten, Salzburg and Umgebung.
The total budget of the programme is EUR 80 million and Community investment through the ERDF amounts to EUR 60 million.
The programme affects 37,939 Km2 of both countries with a population of 2.5 million. The eligible area of the programme is less than 10% of both countries, with less than 4% of its total population. The rate of employment is 67.6% compared to 57.6% in Italy and 67.8% in Austria. The GNP of the area amounts to 4.4 % of Italy and Austria.
3. The purpose and aim of the programme
The overall objective of the programme is to promote sustainable development and economic competitiveness of the Italian–Austrian border region through an integrated and cross-border approach to economic, social and environmental development in ways which involve and benefit local people and communities.
The trend established through previous, successive programmes will focus in this programme on:
- improvement of economic relations and of competitiveness,
- management of the environment and sustainable development of the territory,
- support for the evaluation and improvement of administrative capacity.
4. The expected impact of the programme
The results achieved by previous programmes regarding the establishment of cooperation between partners in both countries, shall continue with new orientations regarding a more intense territorial integration approach and focusing programme interventions on co-operation and joint management of infrastructure, equipment and services.
A series of indicators, applicable to each of the programme priorities, will enable evaluation of the impact of the programme on, for instance, effects on the population of the area, on the partnership and joint management of cooperation projects, on the development of joint spatial planning projects, on the joint use of infrastructure, equipment and services, etc.
5. Priorities
The Operational Programme for "INTERREG IV A Italy - Austria" is structured into the following priorities:
Priority s 1: Economic Relations, competitiveness and diversification
Boost economic relations and competitiveness of enterprises of the crossborder area in the context of the globalisation with a view to sustainability through innovation, entrepreneurship and increase of the knowledge economy by enhancing innovation, including new information and communication technologies, by creating more jobs of higher quality and improving the adaptability of workers and companies.
Priority 2: Territory and sustainability
This priority aims to improve the attractiveness of the region by managing the environment and sustaining the development of the territory through protection of natural and cultural areas, promotion of biodiversity, prevention of natural and technological risks, promotion of renewable energies, reduction of administrative barriers, improvement of accessibility and upgrading of health and social sectors.
Priority axis 3: Technical assistance
This priority is meant for the management of the programme including information and communication activities. Financial support is available to cover administration, monitoring, evaluation and control.
6. Managing Authority: Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano (Italy)
Contact details:
Managing Authority of the "INTERREG IV A Programme Italy – Austria"
Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano
Ripartizione Affari Comunitari - Ufficio per l'Integrazione europea
Via Conciapelli 69
I-39100 Bolzano
Tel: +39 0471 41 31 60/1-
Fax: +39 0471 41 31 89
E-mail: europa@provincia.bz.it
Operational programme 2007-2013: "Sicily"
1. "Sicily Programme co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Convergence Objective"
2. On 7th September 2007, the decision approving the ERDF regional operational programme for Sicily 2007-2013 was adopted. Sicily is one of the "Convergence" regions. The total cost of the programme amounts to 6.54 billion euros and Sicily receives Community funding of 3.27 billion euros. The financial counterpart of Community assistance is provided by the central Italian administration, the region of Sicily and other public bodies. The rate of Community part-financing is 50% of eligible cost.
3. Purpose and aim of the programme
The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to increasing and stabilising the rate of growth of the regional economy by creating conditions in the region which are more attractive to productive enterprises. Competitiveness will thus be thereby promoted. Development must be sustainable with due regard paid to the environment and to social cohesion.
Industry, made up in large part by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), requires input from research and innovation so that it can be more competitive. The programme aims therefore to improve technological transfer. The programme aims to contribute significantly to the objectives of the Lisbon strategy (48% of ERDF assistance) with considerable support for research, technological transfer, innovation (approximately 12% of Community resources).
Many of the measures aim to improve the transport sector - transport equipment and accessibility in general, while paying due regard to the environment. Funding of rail transport in urban and metropolitan areas will be promoted. The programme will also seek to establish a more balanced transport system by increasing the importance of rail networks and ports. (which will represent 60% of financial resources allocated to transport infrastructure).
The programme will also promote the production and use of renewable energy as well as energy efficiency.
4. The expected impact of the investment
Impacts expected are as follows:
- Increase in annual GDP to 2% (currently 1.5% per year),
- Creation of 15 000 jobs,
- Reduction on greenhouse gases emissions (– 0.5% of the total or 250 000 tons CO2 over the period).
5. Priorities
The regional programme for Sicily is structured in 7 priorities, as follows:
Priority 1. Mobility networks
This priority aims to improve accessibility for people and goods, with due regard for the environment. There is a clear preference for a better balance between the various modes of transport and the intention is to increase rail and port infrastructure. However, there will also be funding for roads, for instance, missing sections of the Syracuse-Gela motorway will be completed.
There will be a focus on improving mobility in the urban and metropolitan areas of Palermo (a railway going round the city and new tramway) and in Catania (the metropolitan line and new sections of the "Circumetnea" including a link to Catania airport). As well as having a positive effect for the environment; energy consumption should also be improved.
Priority 2. Efficient use of natural resources
All the measures aim at reducing energy dependence on traditional resources are contained in this priority. The production and use of renewable energy will be promoted as well as measures to promote energy efficiency. The methane gas distribution network will also be completed.
Besides energy, interventions in the sectors of water infrastructures, risk prevention and waste treatment will also be supported within this priority. As for the waste treatment, productive investments in the recycling sector will be financed.
Priority 3. Exploiting cultural and environmental resources to attract tourism and promote development
This priority aims at the promotion of sustainable tourism by the enhancement of the cultural and natural potential of the region. The preservation of historical premises and the support to SMEs linked to the management of the cultural heritage and the environmental networks are envisaged.
Aid schemes to productive investments in the tourism sector will mainly address the problem of the diversification of demand (off peak tourism).
Priority 4. Dissemination of research and innovation and Information Society
It is intended to promote global competitiveness through better integration of public and private research into the economy. There will be a special focus both on transferring the research results of public centres and universities to private enterprise, and on promoting and starting up enterprises in new sectors. Innovation will be fostered through specific aid schemes with a particular attention on clusters.
The diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICT) will be supported in order to increase the competitiveness of local SMEs as well as to reduce the digital divide affecting mainly the interior rural areas.
Priority 5. Development of enterprises and competitiveness of local production systems
The increase of competitiveness of local production systems will be pursued by supporting the development of clusters of large and small and medium-sized enterprises, the increase of the average size of local SMEs, the access of the SMEs to advanced services, the improvement of credit conditions mainly through 'guarantee schemes".
Priority 6. Sustainable urban development
This priority will promote measures in urban areas, some of which will be targeted at enterprises. Funding for social infrastructure and strengthening of regional health poles will also be supported.
In the framework of this priority there will also be measures to mitigate against the negative effects of traffic congestion and reduce atmospheric and acoustic pollution. Other measures foreseen are the clean up of polluted industrial sites and contaminated areas as well as risk prevention.
All these activities will form part of integrated sustainable plans.
Priority 7. Governance, institutional capacity-building and technical assistance
The following activities are foreseen under this priority: coordination, management, monitoring, evaluation, facilitating, information and communication.
6. Managing Authority: Presidenza della Regione Siciliana
Contact details:
Dott.ssa. Gabriella Palocci
Presidenza della Regione Siciliana
Dipartimento regionale della Programmazione Regione Sicilia
Piazza Sturzo n.36
I-90139 Palermo
E-mail: direzione.programmazione@regione.sicilia.it
Internet: http://www.euroinfosicilia.it