EUROPEAN UNION 2014 Italian Presidency Committee of the Regions of the Council of the European Union YEARS
EUROPE A fresh start The Committee of the Regions and the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
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Committee of the Regions
01 Foreword by the President of the Committee of the Regions of the EU 1
02 Editorial by the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic 3
03 The Committee of the Regions of the EU 5
04 The Italian Delegation to the Committee of the Regions 8
05 Priorities of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU 10
06 Towards a new model of territorial organisation in Italy 28
07 Dialogue with Italian associations of local and regional authorities 30
08 Investing in regions and cities: EU regional policy in Italy 37
09 Calendar: meetings and events 47
10 Contacts 48
© European Union, 2014 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged
Printed in Belgium Foreword by President of the 01 Committee of the Regions of the EU
Foreword of Michel Lebrun
President of the Committee of the Regions of the EU
The Italian government is taking over the Presidency of the Council at the dawn of a new political mandate of the European Parliament and new European Commission College. European citizens have just expressed their opinion on the political options to guide the European project from the European Parliament; the result showed that the EU integration process is questioned by about one fifth of the European electorate, albeit for various different reasons. To characterise the election result as a rejection of the European Union is thus not accurate, despite vocal electoral campaigns and several national governments positioning themselves as champions to reduce the role of the Union. Indeed, there is Michel Lebrun another Europe calling for more cohesion, solidarity and for a better Europe governing in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity: regional and local authorities keep enjoying the added value of the integration and their voice should be not forgotten. For instance, the most crucial task ahead for the EU is to deliver on growth, jobs and cohesion, whilst EU institutions should seek stronger involvement from regional and local authorities. It is a crucial moment for the Committee of the Regions (CoR) to highlight the important role that regional and local authorities play in reinforcing European democracy and to ensure growth and jobs are created, and that measures are put in place and delivered on the ground.
Even if the macroeconomic situation of the Eurozone is becoming stable and the countries under supervision have started to recover and grow, many citizens are still experiencing difficult times, particularly young people in many countries. In Europe it is typically at regional and local level where key competences exist for giving our younger generation the opportunities they deserve to unlock their full potential. I am truly convinced that the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union has a key role in promoting employment in seeking continuous economic growth and competitiveness of the EU. The Committee of the Regions also supports progress in the architecture of Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union. Furthermore, our institution will be following up on the results achieved under the next funding period (2014 –2020). In this context it will be crucial to ensure the full respect of multilevel governance and the partnership principles in the management of structural and investment funds.
The review of the Europe 2020 Strategy will largely fall under the Italian Presidency. At the 6th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Athens, the CoR adopted a forward looking Declaration on the mid-term review of Europe 2020: “A Territorial Vision for Growth and Jobs”, accompanied by a Mid-Term Assessment Report. Both documents result from intense monitoring and analytical activities on Europe 2020 and its Flagship Initiatives carried out by the CoR for over a year. The CoR will continue its works on the review and adopt a blueprint for rethinking governance and ensure a better delivery of growth and jobs in Europe’s regions and cities.
Regarding citizens’ rights the Italian Presidency will have to ensure the European area of freedom, security and justice is reformed whilst guaranteeing Europeans a fundamental right to mobility. The Committee of the Regions has consistently highlighted the
1 01 Foreword by President of the Committee of the Regions of the EU
importance of the four fundamental freedoms; the Italian Presidency has rightly pointed out as a priority at European level the situation of irregular migration and asylum seekers’ rights at Europe’s borders as for example the cases of Lampedusa in Italy and Ceuta and Melilla in Spain. Local and regional authorities (LRAs) are responsible for receiving immigrants arriving in Europe, and strive to implement integration policies. These local, regional and national authorities are being overwhelmed by a situation that affects the entire European Union. The CoR, in the context of its partnership with LRAs from the southern shore of the Mediterranean (ARLEM), will draft a report on migration in the Mediterranean area, in an attempt to devise a common response and stress the issue vis- à-vis European institutions and national governments also in order to rethink and boost the role of decentralised cooperation in the region.
Regarding the regional cooperation aspect, the Committee of the Regions welcomes all efforts by the Italian Presidency to ensure consensus on the EU Adriatic-Ionian Strategy. Macro-regional strategies represent an important step towards a more territorial-focussed cohesion policy, a way to develop potentialities of specific European territories deserving special care beyond the current existing regional policy.
More and more we hear about the request for a reformed, less bureaucratic Europe which has to urgently be set up. To succeed, we believe that the new Europe has to build its partnership, and finally get closer to citizens. Local and regional authorities and the CoR are ready to cooperate with the Italian Presidency and insofar as contributing to shaping a better Union for future generations.
Michel Lebrun President of the Committee of the Regions
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2 Committee of the Regions Editorial by President of the Italian Council 02 of Ministers of the Italian Republic
Editorial by Matteo Renzi
President of the Italian Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic
Italy took over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July. As a founding Member State, this is the twelfth time it has been so honoured. It is only the first time, however, since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.
The beginning of the Italian Presidency coincides with the start of a new term of office for the EU legislature and important changes in the upper echelons of the Community institutions. The task we face is far from easy: neither from a political perspective, Matteo Renzi given the ever increasing disaffection of a section of European public opinion with integration; nor from a procedural point of view, given the need to manage – the only thing that remains the same – a delicate transition phase.
More than five years of economic crisis and austerity policies have left European society deeply marked. In some cases, it has left the EU ideal disfigured. For those generations that have wandered through Europe and felt at home everywhere, who have worked and studied without coming across borders, the Union remains a shared and necessary home: a building that does not always flow well, is sometimes tottering, and is constantly being refurbished.
It is this maintenance that we have to carry out; to take on the inheritance received from our fathers, carefully put together by their hard work, bring it up to date and pass it on to our children. We are often called the “Erasmus generation”: so we cannot be the ones to look on impassively at the unravelling of the ideals of the EU.
Restoring the European publics’ trust in the EU integration project means above all tackling the causes of disaffection. It means – and this will be the main priority of the Italian Presidency – getting millions of unemployed back to work and striving for robust and sustainable growth. This will require us to work together to activate many of the levers we have available. I am thinking, for example, of the approaching mid- term review of the Europe 2020 Strategy, scheduled for 2015: we shall use the informal sectoral councils to launch a debate on how to improve the Strategy’s contribution to achieving the growth and jobs targets.
Discussions on the climate-energy package could also have significant repercussions for the economy, industry and jobs. It is important that the European Union works out a joint position on some of the key elements of the package, not least with a view to the important multilateral events coming up in the second half of the Presidency. On this front, again, there is a clear need to seek a valid trade-off between industrial competitiveness, respect for fair competition, and making the most of the contribution to growth and jobs that the adoption of the package can undoubtedly engender.
The political crises in the Middle East and Eastern Europe are a reminder of the European Union’s responsibility. As the rotating Presidency, we are fully aware of this and we shall do everything possible to make European action on the international stage more
3 02 Editorial by President of the Italian Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic
effective. However, it is above all in the Mediterranean area that the success of Europe’s external outreach is measured.
For many years Italy has been the destination for thousands of irregular immigrants seeking protection or, more simply, greater economic security. Over time the phenomenon has reached proportions that no single country can manage on its own. We are proud of what has been done so far with operation “Mare Nostrum”: thousands of lives saved, hundreds of human traffickers brought to justice. Clearly “Mare Nostrum” is a rapid response to an extremely serious humanitarian emergency on which the Italian government could not remain impassive. Overcoming this emergency means now strengthening current Community measures, starting with Frontex, improving their staffing levels, and – if necessary – introducing new operating rules. Patrolling the Union’s maritime borders must be a shared responsibility and Frontex the right instrument to exercise it.
Post-Lisbon the rotating Presidency is sometimes viewed as a not too serious commitment that can be met on automatic pilot. This is definitely not the case with this Italian Presidency, which is navigating choppy waters and requires a firm hand on the rudder. We shall draw up the balance on 31 December. In the meantime, I wish you all well with your work.
Matteo Renzi President of the Italian Council of Ministers
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4 Committee of the Regions 03 The Committee of the Regions of the EU
Understanding the Committee of the Regions
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Local and regional authorities are responsible for implementing the majority of EU policy with around two-thirds of EU legislation put into practice at sub-national level. Committee of the Regions That is why the Committee of the Regions (CoR) was set up in 1994 to give local and regional authorities an opportunity to express their view on proposed EU legislation so YEARS that it is adapted more closely to citizens’ needs. The European treaties stipulate that the Committee of the Regions must be consulted whenever proposals are likely to have an impact at local or regional level. In practice, this means that the CoR is consulted on most European legislation. The European Commission, European Parliament and Council may also consult the CoR outside these areas if they see local or regional implications in their work. The CoR can also put its priorities onto the EU’s agenda by issuing own-initiative opinions and drafting reports on subjects of interest. The CoR also has the right to question the Commission, Parliament and Council if they fail to consider its views and, in extreme cases, the right to go to the European Court of Justice if it believes it has not been correctly consulted.
The Committee of the Regions celebrated its 20th anniversary during its 107th Plenary Session on 25-26 June 2014.
How does the Committee of the Regions work
The Committee is made up of 353 members and the same number of alternates, who are nominated by the Member States and appointed by the European Council for a renewable five-year term. Members must hold elected office or be politically accountable to an elected assembly, so those who lose office automatically lose their seat on the Committee of the Regions. Each country can choose how it selects its members and delegations often reflect a political and geographical balance and are taken from both regional and local levels where appropriate. Gian Mario Spacca
In Italy the government nominiates CoR members to the Council for approval, the Conference of Regions and Provinces, UPI’s- Union of the Italian provinces- and ANCI’s – Association of italian cities and municipalities - propose candidates which will become members of the Committee of the Regions.
The Head of the Italian Delegation to the Committee of the Regions is Gian Mario Spacca, President of the Marche Region.
During its 107th plenary session on 26 June 2014, members of the Committee of the Regions elected Belgium’s Michel Lebrun, Municipal Councillor of Viroinval, as its new President. Catiuscia Marini, President of the Region of Umbria was elected as the Committee’s First Vice-President. Catiuscia Marini
5 03 The Committee of the Regions of the EU
The key treaties that have helped give local and regional authorities a voice in Europe
Maastricht Treaty (1992) – Established the CoR and stated that it must be consulted on economic and social cohesion, trans-European networks, health, education and culture.
Treaty of Amsterdam (1997) – Set out a further five areas where the CoR must be consulted: employment policy, social policy, the environment, vocational training and transport.
Lisbon Treaty (2009) – Made it legally binding that the European Parliament, Commission and the Council must consult the Committee when making laws which may have a regional impact. Climate change and energy were added to areas where it was mandatory for the CoR to be consulted.
The Committee’s work is shared between six areas: • Territorial and Cohesion Policy (COTER) • Economic and Social Policy (ECOS) • Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) • Education, Youth, Culture and Research (EDUC) • Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX) • Natural Resources (NAT)
Through work of these six commissions draft opinions are developed on proposed EU legislation. The draft opinions are voted on by all the CoR members during one of the six plenary sessions that take place each year. Adopted opinions are then circulated to the other EU institutions and other relevant parties contributing to the EU’s decision- making process.
Five political groups are also represented at the Committee of the Regions: • The European People’s Party (EPP) • The Party of European Socialists (PES) • The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) • The European Alliance (EA) • The European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR)
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6 Committee of the Regions 03 The Committee of the Regions of the EU 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Bringing the European Union closer to its citizens The agenda of the Committee for a decentralised communication
Though much of the Committee’s work lies in its involvement in the legislative process, its role does not stop there. The CoR’s members live and work on a day-today basis in their regions and cities allowing them to stay in touch with the concerns of the people www.cor.europa.eu/en/regions they represent. This puts them in a position to bring these views to the heart of the EU when they come to Brussels and at the same time act as “ambassadors of Europe” in their own territories. The Committee of the Regions supports its members in this mission, offering assistance and decentralised communication tools with the aim of giving visibility to the resulting activities. The Committee also encourages the spread of practises and experiences of defining and implementing policy measures, by local and regional authorities throughout Europe, via a bottom-up approach.
Plenty of tools are used to improve participatory democracy, such as the consultation process during the pre-legislative phase and the networks and thematic platforms ran by the Committee (Europe 2020 Platform, EGTC Platform, ARLEM, and CORLEAP). Over 200 conferences and thematic workshops are organised each year in the Committee of the Regions, and around 250 local events take place, in partnership with regions and 12th European Week of cities from all over European, as part of the OPEN DAYS – the European week of regions Regions and Cities Brussels 6 - 9 October 2014 and cities.
The Committee of the Regions’ guiding principles
The Committee of the Regions’ guiding principles: working in partnership between the local, regional, national and European levels of government to guide efficient drafting and implementation of policies during the whole decision-making process.
Subsidiarity Principle: Decisions should be taken at the level of government that best serves the public interest. The EU must not pursue initiatives that would be better carried out by national, regional or local authorities.
Proximity Principle: all levels of government must work as transparently as possible and as closely as possible with the public so that citizens know who is responsible for what and how they can make their views known.
7 The Italian Delegation to the 04 Committee of the Regions
The Italian Delegation to the Committee of the Regions is composed of 24 members and 24 alternate members that represent Italian regions, provinces and municipalities in the EU’s assembly of local and regional authorities.
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8 Committee of the Regions 04 The Italian Delegation to the Committee of the Regions 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
New composition of the Italian Delegation as from September 2014
Full Members CATTANEO Raffaele – Councillor and Chairman of the MARINI Catiuscia – President of the Umbria Region, CoR’s Lombardy Regional Council First Vice-President CHIAMPARINO Sergio – President of the Piedmont Region MARINO Ignazio – Mayor of Rome COPPOLA Marialuisa – Regional Councillor of the Veneto MASINI Sonia – President of the Province of Reggio Emilia Region PELLA Roberto – Mayor of Valdengo, BI CROCETTA Rosario – President of the Sicily Region PIGLIARU Francesco – President of the Sardinia Region D’ALFONSO Luciano – President of the Abruzzo Region ROLLANDIN Augusto – President of the Autonomous D’ATTIS Mauro – Municipal Councillor of Brindisi Region of Valle d’Aosta DI LAURA FRATTURA Paolo – President of the Molise SCOPELLITI Giuseppe – President of the Calabria Region Region SILLI Giorgio – Municipal Councillor of Prato, FI FANELLI Micaela – Mayor of Riccia, CB SPACCA Gian Mario – President of the Marche Region, FASSINO Piero – Mayor of Turin Head of the Italian Delegation at the CoR GRANELLO Giorgio – Municipal Councillor of Ponzano TESTA Guerino – President of the Province of Pescara Veneto, TV VENDOLA Nichi – President of the Puglia Region KOMPATSCHER Arno – Councillor and President of the ZINGARETTI Nicola – President of the Lazio Region Autonomous Province of Bolzano
Alternate Members ANCISI Alvaro – Municipal Councillor of Ravenna ORLANDO Leoluca – Mayor of Palermo BALZANI Francesca – Municipal Councillor of Milan PERONI Francesco – Councillor of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region CALDORO Stefano – President of the Campania Region PITTELLA Marcello Maurizio – President of the Basilicata CHIUCCHIURLOTTO Francesco – Muncipal Councillor of Region Ascrea, RI ROSSI Enrico – President of the Tuscany Region COPPOLA Armando – President of the 4th Municipality of Naples ROSSI Ugo – President of the Autonomous Province of Trento GALLI Stefano Bruno – Councillor of the Lombardy Region SALIERA Simonetta – Vice President of the Emilia Romagna GOTTARDO Isidoro – Municipal Councillor of Sacile, PN Region IACOP Franco – Councillor and President of the Friuli SILVESTRI Fiorenzo – Councillor of the Province of Treviso -Venezia Giulia Region TRAGAIOLI Andrea – Mayor of Rosta, TO OPPUS Umberto – Mayor of Mandas, CA VARACALLI Giuseppe – Mayor of Gerace, RC
9 Canarias
Guyane Guadeloupe Priorities of the Italian PresidencyMartinique 05 of the Council of the EU
Réunion
Açores Madeira Regional and territorial policy
“By ensuring ownership of commonMayotte EuropeanGreenland objectives at all levels of governance, the Presidency will work on the contribution that an effective cohesion policy can deliver to the review of the Europe 2020 Strategy. Within this framework, the effects of strengthening the link between structural policies and economic governance will also be debated and a structured debate on the EU Urban Agenda will be promoted.”
ÔÔProgramme of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU
Events:
Ancona - COTER commission - Territorial Cohesion Policy - CoR - 10-11 July
Brussels - 6th Cohesion Forum, 8 September
Brussels - OPEN DAYS 2014- 6-9 October
Milan - Informal Council meeting on cohesion - 10 October
Italian priorities: according to Committee members Catiuscia Marini President of Italy’s Umbria region and CoR’s First Vice-President CoR rapporteur on the opinion promoting quality of public spending in matters subject to EU action Catiuscia Marini
By now it seems clear that policies aimed solely at austerity have created a general social malaise that has often been translated into a feeling of hostility towards national and
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10 Committee of the Regions 05 Priorities of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
European institutions. In light of the results of the recent European elections, it seems Promote the quality clear that voters are calling for a real step change. This change – towards fostering growth in the real economy – could materialise if a different approach were taken to calculating of public investments budget deficits, in the context of the stability pact. through their
The current rules governing the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) do not distinguish exclusion from being for accounting purposes or qualitatively between current spending and investment calculated in the spending, thus drying up the potential for growth and development. structural deficit of In Italy in recent years, regions and cities have been forced to “play in defence” in order to stability and growth get back within the parameters of the stability pact, by cutting public spending in support of public investment, as well as reducing capital expenditure and increasing taxes.
This contraction in public investment – of the order of 37% up to 2013 – has had significant depressive effects on growth. Drastically cutting back public investment is gradually bleeding dry the European social model and jeopardising services that are vital to the quality of life of Europeans, particularly in the area of public services of general interest: public transport, the environment, school buildings and social housing, as well as in production sectors vital for our economies such as construction.
During the Italian Presidency of the EU, the Committee of the Regions and the new European Parliament could potentially instigate a drive to move away from austerity policies towards a revival of public investment on the basis of a revision of the accounting rules of the SGP. This could serve to: open up job opportunities and reduce precarious employment situations for women and young people; reduce the tax burden on labour and provide tax incentives for investments by companies; support the restructuring and conversion of the production sectors through a more extensive system of social shock absorbers; direct part of public demand as a driver for new business activities and to support a new era of investment in infrastructure and in making areas safe.
The most important thing the EU could do to help local and regional authorities boost Remove from the economic development would definitely be to loosen the constraints of the Stability and calculation the Growth Pact. co-financing of By removing all levels of Structural Fund co financing (national, regional, provincial and structural funds at local) from Pact calculations infrastructure projects and public works schemes could all levels: national, be “unblocked” which are currently progressing very slowly and are being pursued by regional and local authorities. regional, provincial and municipal Another operational measure already called for by the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions is to exclude national co-financing of the European Structural and Investment Funds from SGP calculations. This would be another practical and immediate measure designed to leverage investment. And to bring about a step change
.
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Marek Woźniak President of the Polish Wielkopolska Region and Chair of the CoRs COTER -Commissio for Territorial and Cohesion Policy
After a long, difficult but fruitful debate the new EU Cohesion Policy is now in place for the 2014-2020 period. Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes are being approved and through these documents the new Cohesion Policy will take shape.
The Common Strategic Framework (CSF) Regulations and the European Code of Conduct Marek Woźniak on Partnership require the involvement of local and regional authorities (LRAs) in the programming, implementation and possible re-programming of the partnership agreements and operational programmes. This role of LRAs should not be overlooked and we, members New challenges for of the CoR’s COTER Commission, will monitor the implementation of these provisions cohesion policy The main challenge that the EU’s new Regional Policy has to face is the strained economic context in which the new programmes will kick off. The priority is to take the necessary step 2014-2020 to counter the increasing regional disparities across the EU in order to challenge the threat to territorial cohesion posed by the crisis. In this respect, a White Paper on Territorial Cohesion based on an analysis of the interplay between the Territorial Agenda 2020 and the Europe 2020 strategy is needed. The main objective of this White Paper should be to identify the Union’s territorial policies that may tackle the current economic and social challenges in a comprehensive way that includes, but also goes beyond, the structural and investment funds.
The place-based approach should be promoted as one of the main objectives of cohesion A white paper on policy for 2014-2020 and we should also reflect on a more meaningful way to measure territorial cohesion prosperity and quality of life in Europe: we have to go beyond the current GDP-based approach to assess regional development. to analyse the Another main challenge is to simplify the procedure and coordination between the interaction between structural and investment funds and other thematic funds. As we have pointed in in many the Territorial Agenda of the Committee of the Regions’ opinions, simplification and coordination are essential to guaranteeing a better absorption of funds and to ensure that every euro goes where it 2020 and the Europe matters the most. 2020 Strategy Urban policy has also become more and more important in the framework of regional policy; we believe that a White Paper on an EU urban agenda outlining the future of EU urban policy is a necessary step and one of the next priorities to be dealt with.
We welcome the Italian Presidency’s prioritisation of growth and jobs. A focus on employment and boosting economic development is indeed much needed after a five years crisis.
Finally, we follow with interest the Italian government’s work to improve the accessibility to basic services in remote areas. As the COTER Commission we are working on an own- initiative opinion that deals with the mobility issues for demographically and geographically- challenged regions. Solving this problem could lead these regions to fully exploit their potential and improve the quality of life for their inhabitants. We hope that the Italian Presidency will promote the debate on this topic at EU level.
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Employment “At a time of high unemployment in Europe, particularly among young people, one of the EU’s biggest challenges is to provide an effective response to the need for more employment opportunities. The Presidency will focus its efforts on mobility, social dialogue, job creation, the structural reform of labour markets and investment in human capital. The Presidency will work towards the implementation of the EU employment strategy, focused on such instruments as the Youth Employment Initiative and the Youth Guarantee.”
ÔÔProgramme of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU
Events:
Turin - CoR Bureau meeting and Conference on cities and employment, 12 September
Italian priorities: according to Committee members
Enrico Rossi President of Italy’s Tuscany Region and CoR rapporteur on the Youth Employment Package
In May 2013 I proposed, as rapporteur of the Committee of the Regions on the Youth Employment Package, two recommendations to the European institutions: I requested Enrico Rossi
13 05 Priorities of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU
The most important that the European Council advance with the implementation of the Youth Employment Initiative which had been launched in 2013, and to support Member States in challenge for the the vocational training policy sector through a vast programme of remunerated future of Europe is its traineeships, establishing minimum quality standards for apprenticeships at European level. I am convinced that the EU can support active job policies for young people in young people Member States by setting a strategy against school dropouts, connecting universities, schools and companies in a huge programme of traineeships, that develops civil service work experience, increases young professionals’ skills and helps them to feel active in society; that supports international mobility as a factor in developing young people’s potential.
But we need to do it fast because we are risk losing entire generations of young people in an active social life, as growing data on NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in Europe clearly shows.
The Italian semester of the EU Presidency is an opportunity not to be missed particularly in light of the recent results of the European Parliament elections which show growing euroscepticism in many Member States. The Presidency will permit clear tasks and targets to be established, results to be quantified and monitored; this is what I believe is the main challenge for Europe’s future: its young population.
In 2011 the Region of Tuscany started the GiovaniSì programme investing EUR 400 million in several measures to support jobs and young people’s potential, for a population of over 970,000. European, national and regional funding are to be integrated with The financing of the resources coming from local governments and the private sector. Youth Guarantee Aware of this social emergency, we decided to use our regional funding to speed- should be extended upmeasures under the European Cohesion Funds while we wait for European institutions and Member States to carry out all the procedures to create actual spendable resources up to 2020, mirroring for the 2014-2020 programmes; that is EUR 82 million for 2014 which we have decided the duration of the to dedicate largely to support jobs and training for young people. We must understand the urgency to put into action active measures to cope with the social consequences Structural Funds of the crisis that are heavily leaning mostly on our young population.
The EU’s Youth Guarantee may be a big opportunity. Tuscany has already started to deliver this programme directed at young people aged between 15 and 24 years: since 1 May this year already 3 500 young Tuscans have joined the Youth Guarantee programme, which is integrated in GiovaniSì.
For these reasons I call on the EU to extend funding of the Youth Guarantee up to 2020 which is the same duration as other the other funds, as this problem is a structural issue that cannot be addressed with limited intervention and must be separated from Cohesion Funds. This could really be a clear and strong option for the Italian semester.
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Iñigo de la Serna Mayor of the Spanish Region of Santander and President of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP)
Youth unemployment is a European problem that is reaching very serious levels in some EU Member States. With almost 58% of youth unemployed, Spain has the sad honour of heading the European unemployment tables for those under the age of 25. With lower though equally serious figures of around 40%, lies Portugal together with Italy, which is starting its Presidency of the EU. Iñigo de la Serna There is no time to lose time in seeking a solution to this problem. We have a generation of trained young people who have come up against a wall of a lack of opportunities and who have to suffer the frustration of doing jobs which frequently bear no relation to the training they have received or are at a much lower level. We are letting highly- skilled human capital with a lot to contribute go to waste.
I, like many others, believe that it is vital to gear education and vocational training to businesses’ needs to prepare our young people for the labour market. However, I also believe that we need to opt for cross-cutting training for future employees. In the current highly globalised environment, abilities such as communication skills, languages, use of new technologies and personal willingness to undertake training throughout working Take action to life are just as necessary as a person’s technical skills. promote the With regards to youth employment in order to match supply and demand other employment of factors need to be taken into account which go further and transcend the temporal and geographical bounds of any government. Any European strategy should take into our young people, account the need to factor in growth forecasts and medium and long-term economic focusing on multilevel projections, along with Member States’ capacities, the powers available to them and governance their subnational structure and division of powers.
While national policies still need to be driven forward it is the European Union which must take the lead in youth employment strategies. Taking the lead means being open to participation and acknowledging the role of regional and local authorities, which is where policies with the greatest social impact are implemented. Listening to and becoming familiar with their requirements and opting for multilevel governance can be very effective.
In Spain we are aware of the need to take action to boost youth employment. The fact that the Italian EU Presidency has made this goal one of the priorities for its six-month term is a major point in its favour, and we wish it every success.
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Common European Migration Policy
“Developing a Common European Migration Policy capable of contributing to the EU’s Growth Agenda. Improving and strengthening the integrated management of the external borders in full compliance with fundamental rights and promoting genuine solidarity at the European level. The Presidency will devote its efforts to the effective implementation of the measures identified by the ‘Mediterranean Task Force’, one of the first steps to strengthening FRONTEX.”
ÔÔProgramme of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU
Events:
Marseille - 6th SUDEV meeting - Commission for Sustainable Development - ARLEM - Euro-Mediterranean Regional And Local Assembly - 19 September Brindisi - CIVEX meeting - CoR Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs - 22-23 September Malaga - 7th ECOTER meeting - commission on economic, social and territorial affairs ARLEM- – 20 October Rome - Fourth EU-Africa ministerial conference on migration and development -26-27 November
Italian priorities: according to Committee members
Nichi Vendola President of the Italian Apulia Region and CoR’ rapporteur on Migration and Mobility
Nichi Vendola Euro-Mediterranean policy must be overhauled in order to restore the Mediterranean’s great potential to be a hub for development and cooperation as opposed to a watery grave and symbol of Europe’s failed immigration policy. The Lampedusa
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(2013) and Pozzallo (2014) disasters are mere by-products of a tragedy that is played out on a daily basis in Mediterranean waters despite hitherto significant efforts to stem irregular migration from North Africa. The EU should relinquish the stance of an embattled and defensive fortress and opt instead to create new channels for integration by developing new forms of citizenship and extending rights. We need an open, civic-minded community with the ability to frame policies that foster solidarity, development, well-being, social inclusion and intercultural integration.
This is another reason why genuine commitment is needed to start afresh with a serious programme of short, medium and long-term measures to deepen action against human trafficking in accordance with the principle of non-refoulement and the European asylum system.
Complex strategies should therefore be identified and implemented, setting out a range of measures tailored to each country and directly involving all the countries Italy will seize the in the Mediterranean, including bordering regions, which cannot be expected opportunity of to manage reception unless they are directly involved in defining the strategic cooperation measures. the Presidency to
Any turnaround measures taken must include all institutional stakeholders in seal the beginning reworking the governance of immigration that ensures a multilevel management of a new round framework involving those tiers of government that are most appropriate, depending on circumstances and needs. Existing cooperation partnerships – some of which of the European include the direct involvement of local and regional authorities (such as ARLEM and immigration policy CORLEAP) – have proven their efficiency and practicality and should be strengthened. Similarly, EU cooperation programmes with non-EU Mediterranean countries need support and better funding since they are a source of intercultural exchange and an important basis for shared growth throughout the Mediterranean basin.
Nevertheless, all efforts will be in vain without action in the sphere of EU immigration and asylum policy, which is dominated by very real taboos that must be overcome. Firstly, there is the matter of opening up channels for regular migration through a targeted visa policy and serious discussion among Member States about the various entry arrangements. Secondly there is the matter of enabling third-country nationals residing legally in one Member State to move to another, thereby creating a genuine area of freedom, security and justice for everyone. EU citizens and third-country nationals who – once legally domiciled – will be able to contribute to creating a more dynamic and competitive EU in line with the Europe 2020 goals.
Italy should therefore seize the opportunity of its Presidency to cement the foundations of a new European immigration policy and I have no doubt that Europe’s regions, especially those from the Mediterranean, would be eager to participate and make the constructive contribution they always do.
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António Costa Mayor of Lisbon, Portugal, Chair of the CoR’s CIVEX commission and CoR rapporteur on the management of migration in the Mediterranean -ARLEM – The Euro- Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly
The European project makes sense and Europe must continue to be a global player. It needs to be competitive and able to attract skilled people from the different continents. No-one can deny that we are faced with a problem of ageing population and that if António Costa communities are not able to replenish their populations we will soon be encountering difficulties at every level right from the outset.
We cannot expect miracles when it comes to the active involvement of all members of the public in the European project. Specific policies, including migration policy, can and must be discussed. One thing is certain: Europe cannot remain inward-looking. It must work together with other people, other cultures and other communities.
Europe is now becoming more diverse and embracing diversity. It is therefore a good thing that we are rubbing shoulders in our cities, municipalities and regions with fellow The Italian Presidency citizens who were once migrants or whose parents or grandparents were born on other will make practical continents or in other places. efforts to create a We must find ways of involving immigrants and properly integrating them into our more supportive societies, fostering a culture of solidarity and responsibility. We must not forget that other new continents also came into being thanks to the sweat and toil of people from Europe Europe that is also who decided to lay down roots, start families and find work outside the Old World.
more aware of the Together with members of the public, we must reflect on and share our concept of importance that immigration, and establish bridges, synergies, reciprocity and dialogue.
immigrants have for We must do away with damning stereotypes of immigrants and enable them to play a full everyone, whether role as citizens in their host societies. Lisbon is one example, but there are many others European or not across Europe. We must demonstrate more and to greater effect the added value that immigrants bring to our societies.
The Mediterranean is a place where civilisations and cultures meet and is a forum for exchange. We must be able to exploit all the potential that contact between people can bring. The Committee of the Regions’ Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly Assemblée Régionale et Locale Euro-Méditerranéenne Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) is a valuable forum for promoting this dialogue and exchange of culture, which we all want to see.
Like other Mediterranean countries and cities, Italy has always been a place where communities and cultures meet. I hope that the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union will give substance to a more cohesive Europe that is more aware of the importance of immigrants for all of us, both Europeans and non-Europeans.
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18 Committee of the Regions 05 Priorities of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The new Adriatic and Ionian Region – EUSAIR “The Presidency is committed to implementing the Council conclusions on the future prospects for the macro-regional strategies, and to obtaining the European Council’s final endorsement of the Strategy and its Action Plan for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) in the second half of 2014. The Italian Presidency will also contribute to the preparation of the Action Plan for the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP).”
ÔÔProgramme of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU
EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region
Provincia Events: Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen Bolzano Vzhodna Friuli- Zahodna Slovenija Provincia Venezia Autonoma di Trento Slovenija Ljubljana Giulia Zagreb Trento Kontinentalna Trieste Hrvatska Lombardia Veneto Milano Beograd Venezia
Srbija Emilia-Romagna Bosna I Fabriano - Marche - COTER Commission – Bologna Hercegovina Sarajevo
Jadranska Territorial Cohesion Policy - CoR Ancona Hrvatska Marche Crna Perugia Gora 10 -11 July Umbria Podgorica L'Aquila Anatoliki Komotini Abruzzo Makedonia, Roma Thraki Tirana Molise Kentriki Campobasso Makedonia Bari Thessaloniki Shqipëria Bruxelles - Strategy’s official launch event - Puglia Dytiki Kozani Potenza Makedonia Basilicata Mitilini Larisa 18 November Ioannina Thessalia Voreio Kerkyra Ipeiros Aigaio Lamia Sterea Calabria Ellada
Dytiki Athínai Catanzaro Ionia Ellada Patrai Nisia Attiki Tripolis Ermoupoli Palermo Peloponnisos Notio National capitals Aigaio NUTS2 capitals Sicilia
0 300 Km
KritiIrakleio © EuroGeographics Association for the administrative boundaries
Italian priorities: according to Committee members Gian Mario Spacca President of Italy’s Marche region, rapporteur and chair of the CoR’s interregional group on the strategy for the Adriatic- Ionian region. Head of the Italian Delegation at the CoR Gian Mario Spacca
The Adriatic-Ionian macroregion constitutes an innovative form of territorial cooperation between regions and nations, with the common goal of securing balanced and sustainable development for the communities living in that area. The Adriatic separated
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east from west when it became a kind of continuation of the Berlin Wall. When that wall fell, the Adriatic opened up again and transformed itself from a border into a community in its own right. It is in this recovered unity and rediscovery of common origins that the macro-regional strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian region is anchored.
The macroregion offers an extraordinary opportunity to foster growth and development The macroregion in the communities of that area, bringing to fruition the process of building a common offers an European citizenship. A journey bolstered by being driven from the bottom up. Even before the Member States’ involvement, it was the associations and networks that extraordinary provided the input for the birth of the macroregion. The regions have always supported opportunity to and encouraged the strategy, working intensely to make it a reality. Now here we are: 2014 foster growth and is set to be an extraordinarily important year for the macroregion. In June, the European Commission approved the EUSAIR action plan. In October, the European Council will development in formalise the creation of the macroregion, which will then officially come into existence the communities, on 1 January 2015. The strategy will be finalised during the Italian Presidency of the EU, bringing to fruition and this is set to be a proud moment for that Presidency. Everyone is involved: local people, associations, local institutions and Member States. the process of Making this strategy a reality means giving great hope to all of Europe. Indeed, conscious building a common of the need to bolster the weakest flank of the continent, the south-eastern side, the EU has resolutely backed the establishment of this macroregion. As have all of Europe’s European citizenship regions, and they will continue to do so. The Committee of the Regions’ Adriatic-Ionian interregional group – which I am honoured to chair – produced a raft of suggestions, proposals and exchanges of views, which were summarised to form a contribution paper for the European Commission. All of this is underpinned by the conviction that local needs should be represented in a bottom-up multi-level governance approach, so as to better address the common problems and challenges facing the Adriatic-Ionian region. This strategy involves devising and implementing projects that harness the Structural Funds of the various EU countries in the macroregion as well as the resources of the pre- accession countries. It is being built from the bottom up and calls for the contribution of institutions, local authorities, economic and social groups and associations. It is an extraordinary opportunity to foster the growth and development of this area, bringing to fruition the process of building a common European citizenship.
Apostolos Katsifaras President of the Region of Western Greece and Vice-Chair of the CoR’s interregional group on the strategy for the Adriatic- Ionian region
In today’s complex and globalised world, interdependence between cities and regions is no longer restricted to the national level, it also extends across borders.
The development of regional cooperation across the Adriatic and Ionian Seas Apostolos Katsifaras through the EUSAIR macro-regional strategy provides an opportunity to move away from one-off cooperation initiatives and isolated, small-scale efforts towards
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carefully organised cooperation, sharing knowledge, pooling resources, harnessing shared opportunities and tackling shared problems.
The region of Western Greece has taken an active part in this debate from the outset, and through the Adriatic-Ionian Interregional Group at the Committee of the Regions - of which I am Vice-Chair - we are working for cooperation of this kind to become a pillar of economic development and social well-being for our regions and countries.
During a prolonged period of crisis and uncertainty, EUSAIR can generate development and employment in the Adriatic-Ionian region by means of cooperation and the implementation of common programmes in the sectors covered by the strategy in order to boost attractiveness, increase competitiveness, CoR’s interregional group on strengthen connectivity and protect our environmental heritage. the strategy for the Adriatic- Ionian region The EUSAIR macro-regional strategy is built on and around the maritime dimension, with the Maritime Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas forming its core. The maritime strategy, which was one of the Greek EU Presidency’s priorities, must therefore remain high on the agenda. Together, the Greek Presidency, and the The Presidency of the Italian Presidency that follows mean that the Presidency of the European Union will European Union will be Mediterranean-led for an entire year, with Integrated Maritime Policy a cross- cutting priority. be Mediterranean- led for an entire There is also a need, first, to increase awareness in civil society of what EUSAIR means for people and the added value it brings them and, second, to consolidate year, with Integrated the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region’s identity as a shared domain for all its inhabitants Maritime Policy a and as a valuable asset that must be safeguarded and developed, as it represents a factor for the prosperity of all. cross-cutting priority
A cohesive and effective macro-regional strategy that responds to the aims and expectations of citizens and local communities can offer a way to make the Adriatic- Ionian macro-region an area of peace, security, stability, prosperity, intercultural dialogue and interregional cooperation.
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Connecting Europe through ICT Digital Agenda
“Europe cannot miss the opportunities of the digital revolution. The challenge is not limited to exploiting the high potential of the ICT sector as a source of growth. Europe is urged to ensure the digitalisation of its entire economy and public services across the board, as the key to unlocking the next decade of growth and innovation.”
ÔÔProgramme of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU
Events:
Venice - Digital Venice 2014 - 7-12 July
Florence - ICT Proposers’ DAY - 9-10 October
Italian priorities: according to Committee members
Marialuisa Coppola Regional Councillor for the Economy and Development, Research and Innovation of Italy’s Veneto Region, and President of the CoR’s ENVE - Commission for Environment, Marialuisa Coppola Climate Change and Energy
There is no doubt that the key to both reconfiguring the development model for production and to revitalising the economic and social fabric of the Veneto Region
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22 Committee of the Regions 05 Priorities of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in particular – and Italy and Europe more broadly – lies with the crucial levers of Completing the research and innovation (in both processes and products) and in the use of digital technology. Digital Agenda and
Even in the most developed parts of Italy, such as the Veneto Region, the digital broadband and divide is now a big handicap to regional development. Completing the Digital ultrafast broadband Agenda and broadband and ultrafast broadband coverage is a key goal in boosting the competitiveness of our businesses – 85% of which, let us not forget, are SMEs – coverage is a key and in giving people a better quality of life by improving access not just to social and goal in boosting the healthcare services, but to cultural services as well. competitiveness of Europe’s regions have made a valuable contribution on this front with both analysis our businesses and in of the problem and in their capacity for providing informed and positive input into European research and innovation planning that will be translated into significant giving people a better resources for funding regional projects scheduled for 2014-2020. quality of life I am convinced that Italy’s EU Presidency is a great opportunity to make a tangible commitment to launching all the initiatives needed and to deploying those resources that must be deployed if we are not to be marginalised.
Markku Markkula Member of Finland’s Espoo City Council, CoR rapporteur on the Digital Agenda
Only now, after the prolonged financial crisis has begun to undermine the social and political foundations of society, are the leaders of the EU and its Member States calling for courage to make difficult decisions: renewal capital and rapid prototyping are needed to drive a future that is focused on human well-being.
Recognising the recent knowledge of society’s developments and the need for renewal, the Italian EU Presidency has enormous opportunities. To envision this landscape, I briefly Markku Markkula stress the following three key messages. 1. Digitally-driven transformation is unstoppable. Let us speed up the economic recovery by removing the barriers of the European Digital Single Market;! 2. The Digital Agenda for Europe needs to focus strongly on human aspects to encourage the full use of ICT. The local and regional levels need to take the lead: bottom-up experimenting, rapid prototyping, widening participation and increasing focus on joint co-creation cultures; 3. Investments in skills capacity need to be prioritised. This means synergy between R&D and innovation, renaissance of the industrial base, network culture, apps/ clouds, open data, and e-skills.
The ‘smart city’ concept as an EU focus area promotes sustainable growth and improves quality of life. The enablers include investments in ICT infrastructure and e-services, as well as in human and social capital. The drivers of change are regional renewal capital and the multidimensional effectiveness of innovation ecosystems.
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This leads to a mentality of entrepreneurial discovery in collaboration with the major businesses, universities, and research institutes of the region. This also requires ambitious targets in taking a pioneering role in the full use of digitalisation in creating partnerships – locally and throughout Europe.
The Committee of the Regions (CoR) has stressed that regions need new arenas as Speed up the hotspots for innovation co-creation. These could be described as “innovation gardens” and “challenge platforms”, which together can form prototypes of the Open Innovation economic recovery by Digital Platform.
removing the barriers During a conference in Krakow organised by the CoRs’ EDUC- Commission for of the European Education, Youth, Culture and Research- in mid-June, Vice Marshall of the Malopolska Region, Roman Ciepiela, introduced their ongoing EUR 40 million Educational Cloud Digital Single Market programme that is radically renewing school operations through the collaboration with universities, by taking a leap towards a common virtual future. They expressed their interest in dynamic, EU-level partnerships. I shared my experiences from extensive endeavours, such as Finnish PISA activities, the extensive CICERO.fi research network, and the European learning expedition we.learn.it. The Polish exercise sends a clear message to European partnerships.
To conclude, it is clear we can reach the desired European benefits only by orchestrating extensive mega-endeavours and project portfolios that resort to multi-financing, the best knowledge available, and new bottom-up concepts that are to be scaled for European-wide application.
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24 Committee of the Regions 05 Priorities of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Europe 2020: a change of tack
“The mid-term review of the Europe 2020 Strategy represents a platform for delivering a better Europe. The Italian Presidency will make every EUROPE 2020 possible effort to revitalise the Europe 2020 Strategy and facilitate smart, Monitoring Platform sustainable and inclusive growth. This line of action will hinge upon better governance of the strategy with a view to delivering more growth and jobs.”
ÔÔProgramme of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU
What is Europe 2020?
In 2010 the EU launched its “Europe 2020” strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The strategy encourages growth based on education and innovation, using resources efficiently, not harming the environment and involving all members of society. To achieve this set five targets to be reached by the year 2020: 1. Ensuring 75% of all 20-64 year olds are in employment; 2. 3% of the EU’s GDP be invested in research & development / innovation; 3. Greenhouse gas emissions to be 20% lower (or even 30% if possible) than 1990 levels, 20% of energy to come from renewables and 20% increase in energy efficiency; 4. Reducing school drop-out rates below 10% and ensuring that at least 40% of 30-34 year olds complete tertiary education; 5. Reducing the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by 20 million.
Member States set out National Reform Programmes which contribute to delivering these targets complemented by seven EU flagship initiatives which support meeting these goals.
The mid-term review of Europe 2020 and the Italian EU Presidency
The European Commission has begun its review of the strategy and will hold a public consultation until 31 October 2014. The European Commission will work on the revision of Europe 2020 and present new proposals in 2015.
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The Italian EU Presidency has given this review priority and, under its coordination, the European Council will share its input to the European Commission as part of its efforts to renew the strategy ahead of the formal mid-term review in 2015. The CoR’ Contribution
Europe 2020 is among the political priorities of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) which welcomes the interest expressed by the Italian EU Presidency.
Following a year of surveys and research, in March 2014 the CoR adopted its Athens Declaration which, accompanied alongside its Mid-Term Assessment Report, set out seven guiding principles for a renewed Europe 2020: 1. Give the strategy a territorial dimension; 2. Design and implement National Reform Programmes In partnership; 3. Make multi-level governance the norm; 4. Align the European Semester with a genuine long-term investment focus for Europe 2020; 5. Use the Flagship Initiatives for enhanced policy coordination; 6. Mobilise funding for long-term investment, ensure better spending; 7. Strengthen administrative capacity for more effective implementation.
Prior to the consultation launched in May, the European Commission took on several key points made by the CoR: • the crisis has reversed the regional convergence process, so regional gaps, also within Member States, should be addressed by a differentiated policy approach; • EU local and regional authorities have played an important role so far and increased awareness and ownership by all stakeholders will be a crucial factor of success. National Reform Programmes should be reassessed and improvements to the involvement of stakeholders in many Member States; • the European Semester has to rebalance its focus from short- to long-term priorities; • the quality of public expenditure, and of public administration overall, is a key condition of success.
The CoR also welcomed this year’s Country Specific Recommendations which reflect the division of powers and make clear links to the role of local and regional authorities for successfully boosting growth and jobs. Fifteen countries that received recommendations addressed their local and regional authorities; an awareness of the territorial dimension is therefore emerging as well as the need for coordination between all levels of government.
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26 Committee of the Regions 05 Priorities of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Looking forward involving Europe’s cities and regions
The Committee of the Regions hopes the Italian EU Presidency will bring forward a stronger territorial dimension of Europe 2020 and Member States recognise the value of a stronger participation of local and regional authorities. In October 2015 during OPEN DAYS - an event organised in partnership with the European Commission in Brussels – the Committee will present its 5th Monitoring Report which reports on Europe 2020 implementation and be an occasion to debate how to translate the Athens Declaration’s principles into practice. Finally a Blueprint for a Renewed Europe 2020 - to be published in December – will give suggestions on how to renew the strategy in partnership with the EU local and regional authorities. The Committee aims to present the Blueprint to the Commission and the Italian EU Presidency to give a local and regional dimension to their work for a renewed Europe 2020.
EUROPE 2020: ITALIAN ROADMAP- KEY EVENTS SECOND SEMESTER 2014
8 July 2014: Economic and Financial Affairs Council Exchange of opinions on how the Europe 202 strategy can more effectively promote growth and on the role of the EU 2020 Strategy in the European semester. 16-17 July 2014: Informal Council of Ministers for the Environment Exchange of opinions on the rationalisation of green policy in the European Semester, including the potential role of the producitivty of resources, and the environmental dimension of the Europe 2020 Strategy. 17 July 2014: Informal Council of Ministers for Employment Exchange of views on the poverty target. 23 July 2014: General Affairs Council Presentation by the Presidency, on the mid-term review of the roadmap. 19 November 2014: General Affairs Council Council conclusions on the Sixth report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion and exchange of views on the contribution that regional and urban development investments have made and should make to the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy. 9 December 2014: Economic and Financial Affairs Council Poss. further exchange of views on the Europe 2020 Strategy and its governance. 16 December 2014: General Affairs Council Endorsement of Presidency summary on the Europe 2020 Strategy mid-term review and exchange of views. 18-19 December 2014: European Council Presentation of Presidency summary.
27 Towards a new territorial 06 organisation model in Italy
Maria Carmela Lanzetta Minister for Regional Affairs of Italy
Since the early 90s, Italy has carried out an important process of decentralisation that the government intends to conclude during the Italian Presidency of the EU Council.
In our country the relations between the central government and local powers are basically regulated by article 117 of the Constitution, which establishes three levels of government, namely national, regional and local. Legislative power is held either Maria Carmela Lanzetta exclusively or concurrently by the State and regions and autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano. In the matters covered by “concurring” or “shared” legislation, legislative power is vested in the regions, according to the fundamental principles laid down in State legislation. Administrative tasks are run either directly or delegated to lower levels.
The meeting point between the central and regional levels is the “State - Regions Conference” composed of Ministers, Presidents of regions and autonomous provinces, representatives of central administrations and public bodies. The conference delivers advice and orientations – in some cases formally requested by the law – on bills and government regulations affecting regional interests and competences. During the conference agreements are stipulated, regional representatives are appointed in various national and international organisms, and criteria for an equitable distribution of financial resources are established– within the framework of its legal mandate. Similarly, the “State- Cities and Local Authorities Conference” delivers formal advice on matters affecting local entities.
A strong decentralisation of tasks and powers towards the regions and local authorities has been in progress since the constitutional reform of 2001, facing the need of building a more effective territorial administration, respecting the various territorial realities and diversities, and is aimed at supporting local development.
The newly approved law on “the re-organisation of metropolitan cities, provinces, unions and merging of municipalities“(Law n.56 /3 April 2014) is meant to further boost an effective multilevel governance, based on the principles of subsidiarity and loyal cooperation, while reducing the costs of electoral bodies. The challenge is to create a cooperative federalism based on the shared management of public services for a more modern and efficient administrative system.
In particular, the law is meant to modify the legal and institutional framework of the about 8,000 municipalities, transforming them into more effective aggregated territorial entities, while preserving their identities (65% are in mountainous areas and 25% of them are classified as shrinking areas).
The ambition is to overcome the old pyramidal system of territorial administration and to build a real “horizontal democracy”. The law eliminates – at an intermediate level – the existing system of provinces (107) and imagines a network of “large-area agencies” led by an assembly of mayors. It is without costs and responsible only for the management
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28 Committee of the Regions 06 Towards a new territorial organisation model in Italy 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
of few matters (school buildings, provincial roads, environment and gender rights), the others being shared between the upper level (regions) and the lower one (municipalities).
Some 20 million Italians live in urban areas producing 35% of national GDP. Italy will have nine metropolitan cities (Rome, Bari, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Turin and CITTÀ METROPOLITANE Venice) as from January 2015, while the city of Reggio Calabria will follow later. Just as servizi, ambiente, spazi pubblici Dati: Rapporto Cittalia 2013 – Elaborazione grafica: I-Way in all advanced developed countries, metropolitan cities will be responsible for matters degliSTRANIERI RESIDENTI in Italia vive nelle such as urban strategic, economic and social development, mobility systems, integrated 30% 33% CITTÀ METROPOLITANE della popolazione vive nelle management of infrastructure, services, and communication networks and ICT systems. CITTÀ METROPOLITANE
Furthermore regions, provinces and municipalities are asked to submit, within 6 months che rappresentano from the approval of the law, a plan for the cancelation of all agencies and bodies deemed 11% DEL TERRITORIO not essential for running their business. 34,7% The goal is to modernise institutions and to delegate more power to the levels of del 53% della government directly controlled by the citizens, according to a common trend in the PIL NAZIONALE SUPERFICIE TERRITORIALE European Union and in the most advanced countries. We are sure that efficiency and è prodotto dalle 10 delle città metropolitane CITTÀ è destinato effectiveness of administrative action will gain a lot from this reform. METROPOLITANE ad USO AGRICOLO
Process of territorial reform in Italy: changes to the Delrio law Delrio law - law n.56, 7 April 2014 Composition of metropolitan cities, provinces, unions and merging municipalities
METROPOLITAN CITIES Delrio law establishes ten metropolitan cities: Turin, Milan, Venice, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Bari, Naples, Reggio Calabria and Rome Capital, which replace the existing provinces. Metropolitan cities tasks are: • territorial strategic development • promotion and integrated management of services, infrastructure and communications networks • institutional relations of competence, including those with European metropolitan cities and areas. Metropolitan cities operate through three organs: Metropolitan mayor, Metropolitan council and Metropolitan conference. Presented by law, the Metropolitan mayor is the mayor of the capital municipality. PROVINCES The law reforms composition and operation of provinces, becoming “large area territorial entities” whose bodies are established through indirect election, by voting for mayors and councillors of provinces’ municipalities. The bodies are: President of the Province and Assembly of Mayors.
Large area territorial entities tasks: • territorial planning - environment protection and valorisation • in line with regional programmes, transport planning - authorisation and control of private transport companies - construction, classification and management of provincial roads - road traffic regulation • in compliance with the regional orientations school network planning, - management of school buildings • data collection and processing - technical and administrative assistance • promotion of equal opportunities and fighting against discrimination in employment. UNIONS AND MERGER OF MUNICIPALITIES The law simplifies the rules and streamlines the process for the union and fusion of municipalities. In particular, unions are territorial entities made of two or more municipalities for the associated operation of administrative tasks.
29 Dialogue with Italian Associations 07 of local and regional authorities
Dialogue with Italian Associations of local and regional authorities
The Conference of Regions and autonomous provinces, ANCI, UPI and the Conference of presidents of regional councils
Catiuscia Marini Piero Fassino Alessandro Pastacci Eros Brega President of the Umbria Region Mayor of Turin and President Mayor of Turin and President of President of the Regional Council of and Coordinator for the Conference of ANCI - National Association UPI - Union of Italian provinces Umbria and the Coordinator of the of Regions of the working group on of Italian municipalities Conference of Presidents of regional the 2014-2020 programming Councils
What are the priorities set by regions, provinces and communes for the Italian presidency? What do you expect from the government in office in Brussels and what do you expect from the EU institutions during the next six months? Is there a role for the Committee of the Regions?
Catiuscia Marini
The Italian Presidency of the EU presents a significant opportunity to take a comprehensive and fresh approach to the crisis affecting most European countries. Emphasis should be placed on employment, growth and development. For this reason, it would help to eliminate unnecessary constraints, especially with respect to the national co-financing of projects that rely on the Structural Funds. These goals could also be achieved by reassessing the Committee of the Regions’ role and moving beyond a mind-set which has so far limited it to an advisory function. The European Union needs to realise that through the voices of the local and regional authorities, this body could generate support to defeat certain forms of eurosceptism and political disengagement.
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30 Committee of the Regions 07 Dialogue with Italian Associations of local and regional authorities 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Piero Fassino
“Renewing faith in Europe”: the goal of the Italian Presidency in the words of Italy’s Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi. If people are to regain their faith in Europe, the EU must make growth and employment the cornerstones of its policies. For too long, Europe has imposed austerity, hardship and sacrifice without Europeans reaping any benefit. The ANCI is also working to make cities a key player in the construction of a European Union focused on growth, pulling away from the lengthy crisis with its restrictive policies and struggles to achieve financial recovery.
The Italian municipalities expect that the role played by local policies in implementing the Europe 2020 Strategy will be acknowledged, and that barriers curbing local investment policies (such as the internal stability pact) will be removed. Getting investment back on track – primarily in training, research, innovation and infrastructure – is the only way to create jobs and give young people hope once more. Given this situation, we are in favour of a stronger role in the European policy-shaping process for the Committee of the Regions and in particular for the mayors who comprise the Italian delegation. The ANCI is therefore an enthusiastic supporter of the European forum of metropolitan cities, where most knowledge, innovation and income is produced.
Alongside growth and employment policies, one issue which is a priority for us is managing the growing flows of refugees and immigrants. We want to introduce greater solidarity between the Member States sharing both the costs and reception and integration policies in line with the Dublin Regulation which gives asylum seekers the option to move to another Member State if they have family there.
Alessandro Pastacci
The six-month Italian Presidency of the EU is a unique opportunity for both the Italian government and for the system of local and regional self-government. The Italian provinces welcome the Presidency objective of working to build a stronger dialogue between the various sectoral policies, not least since many of the priorities of the EU Presidency impact upon the competences of the system of local and regional self-government. One needs to think no further than the subject of youth unemployment, an issue to which the Italian provinces are especially attentive, in view of their responsibilities for managing employment centres in conjunction with the regions, to promote training and employment opportunities for young people. Or one might consider efforts to promote the quality of public investment, for growth, research or education, by excluding them from the definition of the structural deficit under the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP).
Other areas include the digital agenda: we currently need to reconcile and satisfy the needs of the public, companies and stakeholders, not least by means of the widespread and innovative use of telecommunications, especially in the fields of communication, mobility and energy efficiency, developing all the potential of open data and open source. The aim must be to strengthen the “smart” dimension of our urban areas and even more so of the new “large areas”, in order to secure the considerable European funding that has been earmarked for this purpose in the 2014-2020 cycle, especially in the framework of the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. Furthermore, the chapter on e-government and e-procurement is growing increasingly important against the backdrop of the root and branch reform of the public administration announced by the Italian government.
31 07 Dialogue with Italian Associations of local and regional authorities
Eros Brega
Right now our country is trying to bring forward two highly ambitious but necessary projects. Firstly, we are working on the quality of the expenditure of our institutions with a view to freeing up resources for policies. Secondly, we are pressing forward just as determinedly on an institutional reform project that better responds to the needs of the public, but also to the need for a simplified set-up that better matches the situation of our institutions. The drop in revenue due to the economic crisis of recent years and the rationalisation of expenditure are driving many changes for the better in the cycle of policy programming.
How does the new cohesion policy programme differ from the previous period? Which Italian regions stand to gain or lose under the 2014-2020 allocation of resources?
Catiuscia Marini
The new 2014-2020 programme is founded on ongoing discussion – and sometimes dialogue – between the regions and the government. I do not believe that any national regions will lose out to others. We have tried to reconcile the European Commission’s objectives with the regions’ expectations. For the first time, there will also be NOPs- National Operational Programmes- for the central and northern regions. The success of this innovation will allow us to measure the capacity of national-regional cooperation to achieve shared goals. The 2014-2020 programme may be the last programme to be set up in the traditional manner for operational programmes, and therefore, it must be used with an eye to the outcomes and multiplier effects that can result from the right investment choices. We are the only country where none of the poorest regions have succeeded in rising above the threshold of 75% of EU GDP per capita to become a transition region. In fact, one region has actually fallen below this threshold. This must never happen again! Italy must bridge the development gap affecting its southern regions. This is a commitment that the government and the regions, including the central and northern regions, are very clear on. METRO Programme:
The metropolitan Urban policy is a key component of the 2014-2020 Structural cities are being Funds. For the first time, Italy will have an operational programme focusing solely on cities (NOP METRO), to be evaluated by the singled out as European Commission in late July. Are you satisfied with the direct recipients, as management of the programme? What will be the pillars of the initiatives will be new urban policy in Italy? implemented with Piero Fassino
greater speed and This operational programme is definitely a great outcome for Italian cities and one of the tailored more closely most important innovations of the new cohesion policy programming period. We are particularly pleased that metropolitan cities are being singled out as direct recipients, to local needs as initiatives will be implemented with greater speed and tailored more closely to local needs. However, the amount of available resources needs to be increased, and
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32 Committee of the Regions 07 Dialogue with Italian Associations of local and regional authorities 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
earmarking 5% of the funds for urban policies does not mean that cities are excluded from other programmes. The METRO programme will be useful if other EU programmes (national and regional) can tie in to it, contributing to the priorities identified by individual cities and metropolitan areas.
Cohesion policy planning past and present: what should be the role of the provincial “large area agencies” in the planning and The new European use of EU funds for growth and development? financial procedures may take strategic Alessandro Pastacci importance for The new European funds are an absolutely essential tool for funding the growth the intermediate and strategic development of our regions and companies. The impact of the new European financial procedures may take on strategic importance when it comes authorities who are to action to be taken by the intermediate authorities who are responsible for a responsible for a whole set of basic functions centring on the environment, economic development, transport and education. These competences tie in perfectly with the sectoral policies whole set of basic underpinning the European Commission’s theme-based programmes and also with functions centring the Territorial Cooperation Programmes, as highlighted in the EU regulations, which assign responsibility for implementing the cross-border cooperation dimension to on the environment, NUTS III level, i.e. the provinces. With regard to non-border areas, we believe that the economic set of responsibilities and skills that have typically been the domain of the provinces development, when it comes to implementing cohesion policies should remain intact, in light of the functions that they currently perform in the area of regional conservation and transport and planning, education, training and employment (with particular reference to buildings education for higher education), peri-urban road networks and transport, and also in relation to data collection and technical assistance for municipalities, individually or as groupings, and local and regional authorities, which Law 56/2014 recognises as being among the fundamental functions of the provinces and which have provided various examples of best practice as recognised by the European institutions during the 2007-2013 planning period.
What plans do Italian regions have for improving the absorption and quality of expenditure of the Structural Funds during the new programming period? Simplification of procedures and Eros Brega better inter-regional Simplification of procedures, better inter-regional coordination in the programming of the use of funds from the 2014-2020 budgets; a less bureaucratic monitoring system coordination in the focused more on the actual quality of expenditure. These processes should enable us programming of the to enhance the quality of expenditure itself in the new programming period and, we hope, to close the disparities between Italian regions when it comes to the use of EU use of funds from the resources, which have sadly always been a characteristic of our country. 2014-2020 budgets
33 07 Dialogue with Italian Associations of local and regional authorities
What do you think of the regional reform model currently taking shape in Italy? Can a chamber of local authorities and the establishment of metropolitan cities and “large area authorities” improve the institutional system’s efficiency and respond to the people’s needs? A senate of regions and local authorities: Catiuscia Marini important for the The regions have always supported the need to go beyond outright bicameralism and, consequently, to set up a senate of regions and local authorities. It is important legislative process for the legislative process to include a forum where the interests of the regions and to include a forum municipalities can be represented and protected. This is where the interests why we agree with the government’s decision, which - in our capacity as the Conference of Regions - we are supporting through our contributions and suggestions. Especially in of the regions and the case of remits, since the effectiveness of our country’s governance will depend on municipalities can the way they are organised, and in the case of spatial planning. Regional diversity must be exploited and differences recognised. Regions and local authorities must be given be represented and autonomy without thinking in terms of a single model, but bringing out the best in protected regions, municipalities and metropolitan cities through shared “management”. Piero Fassino
The reform of Italy’s institutional set-up is undoubtedly a promising first step towards greater simplification and efficiency. The municipalities are at the centre of the new set-up: second-tier provinces are associations of municipalities, metropolitan cities are based on the municipalities and groupings of municipalities, the revision of regional The municipalities powers is heading towards greater recognition of the municipalities’ powers in the at the centre of the area of management – even the new parliamentary system has a Senate representing local authorities. In this model, metropolitan cities are pivotal: the bulk of national new reform of Italy’s GDP is produced there, as well as the lion’s share of innovation, research and training. institutional set-up Giving metropolitan cities an appropriate institutional status, recognising in law a situation which already exists in practice (i.e. large areas of Italy are already integrated economically and socially), will necessarily spur on growth and wellbeing. In the same way, moving beyond outright bicameralism by establishing a Senate of local authorities will make the legislative process simpler and quicker, while also giving individual areas the right to contribute to national wellbeing starting with real needs at grassroots level. This is why I believe that we need to follow the road to reform to the very end, giving the municipalities and metropolitan cities genuine autonomy, beginning with complete implementation of the Delrio law and putting legislative power in the area of local financing in the hands of the central government. The new senate must ensure appropriate representation of metropolitan cities, regional capitals and the 8,000 municipalities, whose needs and requirements need to be brought to the fore.
Eros Brega
The reform of the upper house in particular will bring about a new way of working between the various territorial levels themselves, and between the regions and central government. With this in mind, we have done a lot of work to ensure that the redesign of the competences of the future Senate of Autonomous Regions gives prominence to the upstream phase of the shaping of EU laws and decisions. This dimension will be key not
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34 Committee of the Regions 07 Dialogue with Italian Associations of local and regional authorities 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union only in terms of its technical impact but also in terms of the political scope of its effects To work towards which, in my opinion, will drive a progressive balancing of decision-making processes along an upward chain from local level to European level and back down again in the better coordination country’s national interest. It might not seem much, but in reality, our country’s problem has always been a lack of coordination. and connection
In this context, Italy can play a driving role in the above matters in Brussels too thanks between the to the EU Presidency. In my opinion, the Committee of the Regions will need to develop Committee of the in ways that enhances its political representativeness as a regional chamber. Only then can it carve out a genuine role as the voice of local and regional authorities in Europe. Regions and the new Internally, on the other hand, if the constitutional reform is, as I hope, to be successfully Senate that is to be completed, we will need to work towards better coordination and connection between the Committee of the Regions and the new Senate that is to be created. We will then created be able to say we have put to good use the wealth of experience we have accumulated over the years and that we have taken the long view of the future.
Alessandro Pastacci
Whenever institutional reforms have been discussed in recent years, the UPI has always been in favour of discussing comprehensive reform of the second part of the constitution, enabling the country to respond in a structural way to the problems of institutional reform that have been evident for years, calling for attention to be paid to the importance of reform processes having grassroots support, in other words support from the institutions that represent the public. These processes must also be conducted Institutional reforms in a way that upholds the fundamental principles enshrined in the European Charter of Local Self-Government and in line with the constitutional provisions governing large area processes must be agencies existing in all European countries of a similar size to Italy. A major institutional conducted in line with reordering is already under way. As we know, the Ministry for Regional Affairs and the Ministry for the Interior has held a number of discussions regarding implementation the constitutional of Law 56/14 and its “provisions on metropolitan areas, provinces, and unions and mergers of municipalities”, which established the metropolitan cities and transformed provisions governing the provinces into second tier agencies, establishing a comprehensive reordering of the large area agencies local and regional authorities and public administration at decentralised level. During this delicate political and institutional phase, we believe that it is essential that the existing in all constitutional reform be coherent with the reforms already approved and in the process European countries of being approved by the parliament. The main aim of the constitutional reform is to reform the Italian parliamentary system, doing away with the bicameral system and establishing an upper house of self-governing authorities, in order to strike a better balance in the relationship between the State and the local and regional institutions. This could, however, also provide an opportunity to overhaul the functions and dimensions of the regions and large area agencies so as to build a more modern and functional institutional set-up that is geared to the country’s needs. Sectoral measures that might send contradictory messages to the country and destabilise the new local government order should be avoided
35 07 Dialogue with Italian Associations of local and regional authorities
Sergio Chiamparino - President of the Piedmont Region - was unanimously elected President of the Italian Conference of Regions on 31 July 2014. Stefano Caldoro, President of the Campania Region, was appointed as Vice-President of the Conference.
Sergio Chiamparino President of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces
The six-month Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union must seize the opportunity to offer practical responses to the economic crisis that has hit Europe over recent years. The should be pursued through close cooperation between regional and local bodies and national governments, especially in Brussels.
Sergio Chiamparino I am convinced that during these six months, the Italian EU Presidency will successfully create the right conditions for cooperation between the institutions and for re- launching the European integration process.
Growth and employment are the watchwords, but bringing them to the regional and local level depends on concerted action for effective governance.
The Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces will work hard to tie its own national-level activities in more closely with the measures to be taken by the Committee of the Regions.
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36 Committee of the Regions Investing in regions and cities: 08 EU regional policy in Italy
Graziano Delrio State Secretary to the President of the Italian Council of Ministers, in charge of cohesion policy
The 2014-2020 programming cycle set-up represents a valuable opportunity to redefine the strategic contents of Italy’s EU Regional Policy and ponder on essential innovations to improve funds management efficiency and expenditure quality. The launch of the new EU programming cycle is set within a macroeconomic framework still burdened by the strong recession ongoing since 2008 which resulted in differentiated impacts on regions and territories, with dramatic tones in Italy’s Mezzogiorno Area and widened Graziano Delrio socio-economic disparities across the country. In such a context 2000-2014 European funds represented a remarkable tool to boost recovery and relaunch public investments, which have strongly declined over the last four years.
The European Commission is due to approve Italy’s Partnership Agreement by August 2014, laying down Italy’s engagements relatively to EUR 32.2 billion EU funds (ERFD, ESF) for European Territorial Cooperation and Youth Employment Initiative, complemented with funds for rural development (EUR 10.4 billion) and fisheries funds. Some EUR 24 billion of national co-financing from the state budget will be aimed at activating programmed investments. Full and effective use of the funds allocated to Italy is indispensable to pursue Europe 2020’s smart, sustainable and inclusive growth objectives.
Italy’s Partnership Agreement envisages interventions over the eleven thematic objectives identified by relevant EU regulations. However it makes significant choices in terms of identification of priorities and pursued results.
Italy’s proposal stems from multilevel partnerships involving relevant ministries, all regions, local government representatives, and socio-economic parties through an intense consultation process lasting over one year. Significant resources are implemented to address the competitiveness and innovation of SMEs, rejuvenate employment both for youth and other population targets, and enhance human capital. Equal attention is given to inclusive development issues, in line with the Europe 2020 Strategy, as well as to actions aimed at enhancing (at economic level, too) natural and cultural heritage as well as infrastructure endowment in southern regions by means of punctually identifying projects. As for infrastructure and environment, most relevant interventions will be complementarily implemented through Italy’s Development and Cohesion Fund (Fondo per lo Sviluppo e la Coesione), a national tool aimed at removing territorial disparities.
In line with EU indications, within the new cycle, EU Regional Policy engages remarkable resources to enhance efficiency in public administration, improve funds management and speed up expenditure processes. Such a process compliments the European Commission’s request to ensure that each administration in charge of Operational Programmes should promptly adopt – with clear political commitment – an organisational plan aimed at ensuring adequate standards in terms of structure, competences, and implementing procedures. The national lead shall furthermore be
37 08 Investing in regions and cities: EU regional policy in Italy
reorganised through Italy’s Agenzia per la Coesione Territoriale (Territorial Cohesion Agency). In order to solve structural bottlenecks in the administrations involved in coordination, management and control activities, highly experienced professionals will be recruited through EU Technical Assistance Funds.
Administrative capacity enhancement measures are complemented with innovative programming and implementation methods in order to foster a further result- oriented policy and ensure better defined, transparent and accountable operational programming. In order to meet this end, the Partnership Agreement made the choice to identify the set of actions to pursue the expected results for each of the eleven thematic objectives. This decision concretely orientates the definition of national and regional operational programmes, as identified in the Partnership Agreement, with the related financial allocations. To date this is still indicative, pending the definition of such programmes within the terms established by the regulation. Besides Regional Operational Programmes, eleven National Operational Programmes are also envisaged, of which five involve the whole national territory (education, employment and youth employment, inclusion, metropolitan cities, and governance).
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38 Committee of the Regions 08 Investing in regions and cities: EU regional policy in Italy 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The Sixth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion Nicola Zingaretti President of the Lazio Region and Committee of the Regions’ rapporteur on the Sixth Cohesion Report
In its Sixth Cohesion Report published in July, the European Commission paints a stark picture Nicola Zingaretti of a Union where one in four Europeans live in a region that is lagging behind and where development gaps have started to widen again after a decade of convergence. Within this context the EU’s Structural Funds are often the only safeguard against plummeting public investment which fell by an average of 20% between 2008 and 2013 and by as much as 60% in Greece, Ireland and Spain. The Sixth Cohesion Report clearly illustrates the key role played by European regional policy in dealing with the crisis and shows how this policy is increasingly useful in shaping and implementing an EU’s growth strategy, strengthening a cultural trend which now needs to be made concrete through the actions and choices of governments. The priorities identified over the next few years (from energy efficiency to SMEs, from employment to social inclusion) form a strategic framework which seeks to exit the crisis with more modern and efficient human, infrastructure and business capital. This is why we are now at a crossroads. The most serious development to emerge during the 2014-2020 period concerns the employment rate, workers’ skills and the average level of education. With regard to the efficient use of the funds, local and regional authorities are in an extremely delicate phase during which the 2007-2013 investment plans must be completed, following a review made necessary by the crisis. At the same time, the 2014-2020 investment programmes will have to be launched. These are a significant opportunities to promote innovative and inclusive growth. However, they will have to contend with more stringent rules which have been exacerbated by the recession. There is not just a Europe of States; there is also, and to an increasing extent, a Europe of Regions. Because of its financial dimension, its aspirations in terms of competitiveness and the fight against exclusion, and its multilevel structure, the Europe of Regions is at the centre of the European social model. Working towards an effective cohesion policy therefore means working to secure more competitive, fairer regions while also building a more definite and influential European identity..
The EU’s Sixth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion
The European Commission published its 6th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion on the 23 July 2014. Besides assessing the impact of the 2007-2013 investment plans, the report presents an initial analysis of the outlook and priorities of EU cohesion policy over the coming years. The Committee of the Regions will be issuing an opinion on the Sixth Cohesion Report during the Italian EU Presidency which will be drafted by Nicola Zingaretti (IT/PES), President of the Lazio Region. 39 08 Investing in regions and cities: EU regional policy in Italy
Italian regions and negotiations on cohesion policy
Negotiations on the 2014-2020 planning period were launched when the Ministry for Territorial Cohesion presented its document “Methods and objectives for the effective use of Community funds 2014-2020” (27 December, 2012), which set out the concept of an institutional partnership that led to the partnership agreement.
The regions were assisted in the course of the meetings by a technical support body (STeP – struttura tecnica di supporto), set up for the purpose by the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces which conducted research and drew up summaries and briefing notes on particular points. It also issued monthly reports to keep the regions informed about negotiations on the EU budget and the reform of regional policies. These reports were based on official government information and put the regional system in Italy in the loop with Brussels. This was the first time that a network of regional interests was built from the bottom up during negotiations of such importance: extending from individual regions to the Conference of Regions and from the conference to the regional offices in Brussels, as well as to Italy’s permanent representation to the EU and MEPs.
The support body oversaw the work carried out aimed at reversing the dynamics of the Commission-country-region relationship. Up to that point the regions had been obliged to unearth for themselves the proposals to be negotiated between the Member States and the Commission: they were never informed on time and were asked to take positions without having the time to consult with one another. The STeP turned this on its head. The regions immediately agreed among themselves on those elements considered crucial to reform of the funds from a regional perspective. The resulting documents, once endorsed politically, provided the background for the positions to be taken in European and national negotiations.
At the beginning of 2013, the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces adopted a position on the negotiations that sought a pivotal role for regions in drafting the agreement. To ensure that the various interests and funds involved in programming were incorporated and given a voice, the conference set up a political coordination group, chaired by the President of the Umbria region, Catiuscia Marini, between its committees.
Since spring 2013 eleven meetings have taken place with the two successive ministers for cohesion, resulting in agreement on three principles for the allocation of resources: financial compensation via the cohesion development fund for transition regions; respecting the two billion ceiling for ROPs-Regional Operational Programmes- in the most developed regions; and a 30-38% band for each less developed region in relation to the percentage of resources for ROPs in the total resources allocated to these regions.
The distribution of resources between “in transition” and “less developed” regions was based on the criteria proposed by the government. For the “most developed” regions, on the other hand, an agreement was reached within the conference that was then amended in agreement with the government.
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40 Committee of the Regions 08 Investing in regions and cities: EU regional policy in Italy 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
In terms of technical arrangements in the preparation of the partnership agreement, the regions took part in the four meetings for the four strategic strands laid down in the methods and objectives (work, competitiveness of production systems, and innovation; optimisation, management and environmental protection; quality of life and social inclusion; and education, training and skills).
The partnership agreement was formally sent to the Commission on 22 April 2014. The Conference of the Regions had examined the agreement and made some changes in the light of comments (Conferenza Unificata, 16 April). In particular, the conference noted that it would be good to review the modus operandi of the institutional partnership between government and regions with a view to providing all the negotiation stages to be shared with the European Commission and setting up a joint political office for dialogue and conducting negotiations. Two months have passed since this request and there is no sign of the government moving in this direction.
Partnership Agreement 2014-2020, Italy
The Partnership Agreement (PA) is the strategic document that provides strategies, priorities and methods for utilising the European Structural Funds for each Member State for the period 2014-2020.
Main steps for approval of the Italian PA:
January 2013: starting an initial informal dialogue with the European Commission and a comparison partnership promoted by the government with a broad consultation phase - 4 technical meetings and 17 thematic discussions.
9 April, 2013: the Government sends a draft PA to the Commission.
22-24 April: comparison with European Commission services which have presented their initial comments on the first draft PA.
December 2013 - April 2014: each Member State has to submit its PA to the Commission which will subsequently make its observations.
22 April, 2014: Italy sends its revised PA, taking into consideration the Commission’s and Italian Regions’ recommendations - the formal negotiations for its approval are open. Deadline - 22 August.
22 July, 2014: deadline for submission of national and regional Operational Programmes to the Commission.
August 2014 - January 2015: Operational Programmes’ adoption of the new cohesion policy (no later than 6 months from the date of their submission to the Commission).
41 08 Investing in regions and cities: EU regional policy in Italy
EU regional funds in Italy 2014-2020
EU Cohesion funds: Italy's Cohesion funds: EUR 351.80 EUR 32.82 billion billion Territorial cooperation allocations: EUR 1.14
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Operational programmes Territorial 512014-2020 19 cooperation programmes 11 National operational programmes 4 Interregional
40 Regional operational programmes 4 Transnational
Rural development 8 Internal border 24 programmes and shing 3 Cross-borders co- nanced by IPA and ENI 3 National
Sources: 21 Regional programmes Italy’s Partnership Agreement; Open Data platform- European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional Policy
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42 Committee of the Regions 08 Investing in regions and cities: EU regional policy in Italy 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Allocated funds 2014-2020 REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMMES Programme / EU Budget (€)
1 ROP ESF BASILICATA...... 144.812.084 17 ROP ESF PIEMONTE...... 415.003.428 ROP ERDF BASILICATA...... 413.015.666 ROP ERDF PIEMONTE...... 504.063.942 2 ROP ESF CALABRIA...... 254.339.876 18 ROP ESF TOSCANA...... 359.464.687 ROP ERDF CALABRIA...... 1.529.877.754 ROP ERDF TOSCANA...... 403.244.175 3 ROP ESF CAMPANIA...... 627.882.260 19 ROP ESF UMBRIA...... 118.764.401 ROP ERDF CAMPANIA...... 3.085.159.382 ROP ERDF UMBRIA...... 178.146.602 4 ROP ESF PUGLIA (Multifunded)...... 842.409.449 20 ROP ESF VALLE D’AOSTA...... 27.786.275 ROP ERDF PUGLIA (Multifunded)...... 2.718.070.047 ROP ERDF VALLE D’AOSTA...... 32.175.475 5 ROP ESF SICILIA...... 615.072.321 21 ROP ESF VENETO...... 309.966.285 ROP ERDF SICILIA...... 3.418.431.018 ROP ERDF VENETO...... 372.204.984 6 ROP ESF ABRUZZO...... 56.386.494 ROP ERDF ABRUZZO...... 130.619.971 15 10 ROP ESF MOLISE (Multifunded)...... 23.853.230 7 20 16 ROP ERDF MOLISE (Multifunded)...... 52.950.497 13 21 8 ROP ESF SARDEGNA...... 221.253.335 ROP ERDF SARDEGNA...... 466.636.206 17 9 ROP ESF EMILIA ROMAGNA...... 393.125.091 ROP ERDF EMILIA ROMAGNA...... 240.947.636 12 9 10 ROP ESF FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA...... 138.213.907 ROP ERDF FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA...... 115.389.592 18 14 11 ROP ESF LAZIO...... 451.267.357 19 ROP ERDF LAZIO...... 456.532.597 12 ROP ESF LIGURIA...... 177.272.384 6 ROP ERDF LIGURIA...... 196.272.620 11 7 13 ROP ESF LOMBARDIA...... 485.237.258 4 ROP ERDF LOMBARDIA...... 485.237.258 3 14 ROP ESF MARCHE...... 143.989.809 1 ROP ERDF MARCHE...... 168.691.644 8 15 ROP ESF PA BOLZANO...... 68.310.599 ROP ERDF PA BOLZANO...... 68.310.599 2 16 ROP ERDF PA TRENTO...... 54.027.940 ROP ERDF PA TRENTO...... 55.296.099
5 NATIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMMES Programme / EU Budget (€)
OP Cultura (EDRF)...... 368.200.000 OP Infrastructure (EDRF)...... 1.382.800.000 OP Metro Cities (EDRF-ESF)...... 588.100.000 OP Education (EDRF-ESF)...... 1.615.225.000 OP Governence (EDRF-ESF)...... 583.799.998 OP Legality (EDRF-ESF)...... 283.250.000 OP Enterprises and Competitiveness (EDRF) OP Employment (ESF)...... 1.180.744.376 ...... 1.776.000.000 OP Research and Innovation (EDRF-ESF).... 926.250.000 OP Inclusion ( ESF)...... 827.150.000 OP Youth Employment (ESF)...... 567.500.000
Source: Italy’s Partnership Agreement 22 April 2014 and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional Policy 43 08 Investing in regions and cities: EU regional policy in Italy
Mercedes Bresso Member of the European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee
When setting out the priorities for the Italian Presidency, President Matteo Renzi called upon all MEPs to relaunch the European project starting with the fundamental values that unite us, the deep roots of peace and democracy that can buoy us up as we rediscover our past and rebuild a common vision for the future. First and foremost among those values is the idea of democracy and the desire to achieve it, which comes from an awareness of the sheer Mercedes Bresso devastation and misery that dictatorship and war can bring. I would also add that one key element in developing this basic value is a commitment to bring the democratic institutions as close as possible to the public, a bid to decentralise decision-making and functions with a view to expanding the opportunities each one of us has to take part in and oversee management of public affairs. The idea that cultural, social and economic development hinges on regions and cities is therefore one of the pillars of our common identity and is a precious asset admired the world over. That notion accompanied me in my work as a local and regional administrator and my recent experience at the helm of the Committee of the Regions and it remains the pole star that will guide my work at the European Parliament in the Constitutional Affairs and Regional Development committees. I am convinced that rethinking and redefining the link between Europe and local communities needs to be one of the key aspects of our reaction to the warning shots sent out by the recent European elections. Furthermore, data on the EU’s economies clearly show that divergences between the regions have started growing again almost everywhere after more than a decade of recovery. The regions and cities are therefore pivotal when it comes to addressing the issue of growth, the fundamental challenge on which the European Union has to signal a change of course. We will therefore work together in order to ensure that regional policies and territorial cohesion are restored to their rightful places at the centre of the European public debate, dovetailing more closely and effectively with the other growth measures put in place by national governments and EU institutions.
With this in mind, it is critical to act quickly at all levels to pave the way for new public and private investment to make the start of a new phase possible for everyone. The Presidency’s emphasis on infrastructure, the digital agenda and industry, combined with greater budget flexibility with regard to commitments made, will give cause for optimism to hundreds of local and regional administrators in the Member States who have been battling the effects of the recession for years, with a multitude of budgetary problems. I am sure that the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions will work side by side in order to ensure that the hopes of those administrators and their communities are not dashed.
Alongside investment and growth policies, work must also resume on the institutional front giving centre stage to the relationship between the EU and the public. We must reopen the debate on the role of the European Parliament, its relationship with the Council and national parliaments, and the role of the Committee of the Regions, which could become an even more effective tool providing a link with and political representation for the regions. In this respect, the debate conducted by the Committee on its 20th anniversary made an important contribution from which the Italian Presidency could draw useful elements with a view to launching a discussion on how to further develop the Europe of the regions in the coming years, finding new answers to the European public’s need for proximity and participation.
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44 Committee of the Regions 08 Investing in regions and cities: EU regional policy in Italy 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
OpenCoesione
OpenCoesione (www.opencoesione.it) is an open government initiative launched in July 2012 which focuses on Cohesion Policy in Italy. It enables citizen engagement through the publication of open, detailed and high-quality data on individual projects.
Cohesion policy in Italy is financed in seven-year cycles by EU Structural Funds and a specific National Fund for Development and Cohesion and is worth about EUR 15 billion per year. The main objective is to help less developed regions, in particular in the south to catch up by improving basic services to broaden the opportunities of individuals and by creating favourable conditions for attracting private investment. Cohesion projects finance research and development (R&D) and innovation, transport and other infrastructure, but also training, cultural heritage conservation and many others.
The lack of transparency on how public money is spent is one of the main reasons for the slow pace in implementing cohesion policy and in understanding whether investment projects actually respond to local demand. This is a particularly hot topic in Italy, which is the third biggest beneficiary of the EU Cohesion Policy (after Poland and Spain) and yields particularly low absorption rates of the funds. Moreover, an animated debate across Europe has developed on whether, after decades of subsidies, the European Regional Policy is effective or not.
In order to respond to these challenges, the Department for Development and Economic Cohesion launched the OpenCoesione portal and associated initiatives in order to foster a more effective use of public funding through greater transparency, collaboration and participation.
The first output of the project is the open data portal OpenCoesione.gov.it, the national single point of access on cohesion policy. It provides information, accessible to anyone, on what is funded, on which funds are used, who is involved and where these funds are implemented.
As of May 2014, the portal covers over 750,000 funded projects, representing an overall value of EUR 75 billion. The above information is available through interactive visualisations, maps and search forms and as raw data and APIs, enabling data re-use by other administrations, researchers, journalists, citizens and other stakeholders.
Moreover, as part of the overall strategy, the OpenCoesione initiative provides proactive support for citizen engagement activities based on the information on each project funded by cohesion policy.
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The new Open Data platform on cohesion policy
On 23 July 2014 the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional Policy launched the new Open Data platform -a new website that provides a comprehensive overview of how the EU’s Cohesion Policy performs in each Member State. It offers an interactive experience – maps, charts, visualisations, discussion boards – that aims to encourage a greater engagement in cohesion policy.
The platform helps demonstrate how funds are used to deal with socio- economic issues and other country-specific challenges in the EU’s countries and regions. The data used was gathered from national authorities and final figures were based on the Commission’s Sixth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion.
Info - https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/
EUROPEAN UNION
46 Committee of the Regions 09 Calendar: Meetings and events
July October
1-3 July 6-8 October Plenary Session - European Parliament Plenary Session - CoR STRASBOURG OPEN DAYS 2014 BRUSSELS
7-12 July Digital Venice 2014 6 October VENICE Informal meeting on energy Milan
10-11 July COTER commission - CoR 10 October Fabriano - Ancona, Marche Informal meeting on cohesion Milan
September 15-16 October EuroPCom 2014 12 September CoR, BRUSSELS Bureau - CoR Conference on cities and employment” TURIN 20 October 7th ECOTER meeting - ARLEM Malaga, Spain 19 September 6th SUDEV meeting - ARLEM MERSEILLE, FRANCE 30 October Informal meeting of the EU Ministers of Tourism 19 September NAPLES NAT Commission - CoR FLORENCE November 22-23 September CIVEX Commission - CoR 26-27 November Brindisi Euro-African Ministerial Conference on Migration and Development 24 September Rome Informal EYCS (Education, Youth, Culture and Sport) meeting TURIN December
2-4 December Plenary Session - CoR BRUSSELS
3 December Meeting of the European Ministers of Public Administration Rome
18-19 December European Council Bruxelles
47 10 Contacts
Committee of the Regions
Jacques Delors Building Rue Belliard 99-101 B - 1040 Brussels Tel. +32 2 282 22 11 www.cor.europa.eu email:[email protected]
@EU_CoR
www.facebook.com/committee.of.the.regions
Coordination of the Italian Delegation at the Committee of the Regions
Head of Delegation Gian Mario Spacca President of the Marche Region Via Gentile da Fabriano 9 60125 Ancona Tel. +39 071 8062727 www.regione.marche.it
Coordinator Vice-coordinator Costantino Condorelli Andrea Ciaffi c/o Friuli Venezia Giulia Region Conference of Piazza Colonna 355, I-00186 Rome Regions and Autonomous Provinces Tel. 39 06 679 85 44 Via Parigi 11, I–00185 Rome e-mail: [email protected] Tel. 39 06 488 8291
Italian Permanent Representation to the European Union
Rue du Marteau 5-11 1000 Brussels Tel. +32 25 515 611 www.italiaue.esteri.it
The European Union in Italy
The European Commission Representation in Italy Rome office - Via IV Novembre 149 Milan office - Corso Magenta 59 00187 Roma 20123 Milano Tel. +39 06 699 991 Tel. +39 02 46 75 141 www.ec.europa.eu/italy
EUROPEAN UNION
48 Committee of the Regions 10 Contacts 2014 Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
European Parliament – Information Office in Italy
Rome office - Via IV Novembre 149 Milan office - Corso Magenta 59
00187 Rome 20123 Milan
Tel. +39 06 69 95 01 Tel. +39 02 43 44 171 www.europarl.it
Europe Direct centre network - Italy www.europa.eu/europedirect
National associations representing local and regional authorities in Italy
ANCI – National Association of Italian Municipalities
Via dei Prefetti 46
00186 Rome
Tel. +39 06 68 00 91 www.anci.it
Conference of the Regions and Autonomous Provinces
Via Parigi 11
00185 Rome
Tel. +39 06 48 882 91 www.regioni.it
Conference of the Presidents of the legislative assemblies of the regions and autonomous provinces
Via Cassa 41
00193 Rome
Tel. +39 06 33 003 73 www.parlamentiregionali.it
UPI - Union of Italian Provinces
Piazza Cardelli 4
00186 Rome
Tel. +39 06 68 40 341 www.upinet.it
49 Committee oftheRegions http://cor.europa.eu/it/regions Tel. +3225468202_Fax22822085 _Belgique/België 101_1040Bruxelles/Brussel Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat July 2014 ofCommunication,Edited by theDirectorate PressandEvents oftheCoR
@EU_CoR Follow us EUROPEAN UNION Y E A R S www.facebook.com/committee.of.the.regions
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