Olive Groves of the Slopes Between Assisi and Spoleto

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Olive groves of the slopes between Assisi and Spoleto

ACTION PLAN FOR THE DYNAMIC PRESERVATION OF THE SITE

INDEX

1 METHODOLOGY 2

2 AIMS AND SCOPE OF THE DYNAMIC ACTION PLAN 3

2.1 GENERAL PURPOSE 3 2.2 OBJECTIVES 3 2.3 AREA OF INTEREST 3

3 ACTION PLAN 4

3.1 NEED FOR INTERVENTION AND STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE MITIGATION OF AREAS OF VULNERABILITY 11 3.2 STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE MITIGATION OF AREAS OF VULNERABILITY 12 3.3 POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS SUPPORTING THE PRESERVATION OF THE PROPOSED AREA 15

4 PROPOSAL OF ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INSTITUTION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF GIAHS 37

5 MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF PROGRESS AND THE EFFECTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION PLAN 38

1 Methodology

The action plan was developed through a participative method that involved the main regional and local institutions.

Its definition is based on the preliminary analysis of threats and of the elements of vulnerability that over time risk compromising the existing agroindustrial system.

Strategic mitigation plans have been assigned to each threat and area of vulnerability, through a bottom-up planning approach.

The latter have the aim of orienting the development and preservation of the olive grove slopes between Assisi and Spoleto along the following directives, in total coherence with the criteria necessarily pertaining to a GIAHS site:

- Agroindustrial sustainability of oil production - Preservation of biodiversity - Preservation of know-how and technologies in use on the site - Preservation of crop orientation and historical memory - Preservation of landscape value

A Management Committee has been established with the participation of the institutions below who each designated their representative. The Management Committee will manage the implementation of the present Action Plan:

- Regione Umbria - Provincia di Perugia - Comune di Trevi - Comune di Assisi - Comune di Spello - Comune di Foligno - Comune di Campello sul Clitunno - Comune di Spoleto - Sviluppumbria Spa - Camera di Commercio di Perugia - CIA UMBRIA - COLDIRETTI UMBRIA - CONFAGRICOLTURA UMBRIA - SLOW FOOD UMBRIA

The Management Committee is backed by a Scientific Committee of experts in various fields with the specific function of giving the former’s decision technical and scientific support.

The members of the Scientific Committee are the representatives of the following institutions:

 Comune di Trevi, Bernardino Sperandio;  Consiglio dell'Ordine Nazionale dei Dottori Agronomi e dei Dottori Forestali – CONAF, President Andrea Sisti; 2

 Villa Fabri foundation, Antonio Boggia;  Università degli Studi di Perugia, Facoltà di Agraria, Franco Famiani;  CNR Perugia, Representative pending;  Regione Umbria, Representative pending;  Comune di Foligno, Ezio Palini, Agronomist.

The present document gives a general picture of feasible interventions for the preservation of the olive grove slopes between Assisi and Spoleto. It is not exhaustive in nature and can be opportunely implemented in light of social, economic, agricultural, and landscape developments.

The Action Plan also aims to establish the monitoring indicators of the Site.

2 Aims and scope of the dynamic action plan 2.1 General purpose Preserving and improving the sustainability of the agricultural systems of the olive grove area between Assisi and Spoleto; promoting biodiversity and guaranteeing, at the same time, the transmission to future generations of the traditional heritage.

2.2 Objectives The above general purpose is declined in the following objectives:

1. Improving the area’s ability to react to ecological and social challenges, and to economic and cultural changes, using endogenous mechanisms;

2. Improving the system’s economic sustainability;

3. Preserving and transmitting knowledge of the area’s agricultural heritage, making the integration of traditional and modern techniques possible so as to guarantee the best management of natural resources.

2.3 Area of interest The dynamic action plan provides for the implementation of strategic measures and plans in response to the threats and challenges observed in the agricultural and environmental system of the olive grove region, which can be activated with national, regional, and local funding, without ruling out private contributions that may arrive in the future.

The action plan will be implemented thanks to the involvement of various stakeholders, who are represented in the Management Committee.

Its approach is multisector and intergenerational, involving different sectors such as agriculture and tourism, as well as segments of various ages of the population, so as to guarantee the transferal of knowledge.

3 Action Plan

Threats and challenges: analysis of the main vulnerabilities of the area

 Social vulnerability:

In the table the main demographic indexes for the interested municipalities elaborated by ISTAT (National Statistical Agency) as of January 1, 2017 are reported. The aging index of the resident population represents the increase in the age of the population. It is the percentage ratio between the number of people over sixty-five and the number of people under 14. The active population turnover index is the percentage ratio between the segment of population that is about to retire (60-64) and the one that is about to enter the work force (15-19). The active population is younger the further below 100 the indicator goes. The active population structure index represents the degree of aging of the working population. It is the percentage ratio between the older working population (40-64) and the younger (15-39).

Table 1 Main demographic indexes concerning the inhabitants of the Assisi – Spoleto olive grove strip (ISTAT 2017)

Active population Active population Municipality Aging index Average age turnover index structure

Assisi 185 45 136,3 135

Foligno 186 45 143,4 136

Campello sul Clitunno 215 47 151 158

Spello 203 46 156 153

Spoleto 234 47 160 149

Trevi 175 45 136 140

As per the last census of the population resident in the municipalities of the proposed area, 34% of the population make up the work force, divided between employed work force (30% of the resident population) and work force in search of employment (3% of the resident population). The consistent presence of non-work force population (30% of the resident population) should be considered a vulnerability factor. As you can see from the table, in the entire area a process of population aging is underway, with older workers and a difficult generational turnover of the employed population. The municipalities of Spoleto and Campello sul Clitunno show the highest indexes.

Figure Professional condition of inhabitants of applicant municipalities (ISTAT 2011)

Figure: Occupation categories of inhabitants of applicant municipalities

 Vulnerability of the primary sector:

Employees of the primary sector are a small percentage of the work force in all the Municipalities of the proposed area; in average, only 4% of the work force is employed in agriculture. The aging of the working population becomes manifest also in the agricultural field. According to the last Agriculture Census (2010), on the farms of the municipalities of the olive grove area 60% of the heads of the companies are over 60; 13% are between 60 and 64; 12% between 65-69; 13% between 70 and 74; 22% over 75. In family-run farms the percentage of workers over 60 is 52%; 13% is between 60-64; 11% between 65 and 69; 11% between 70-74; 17% over 75. The municipalities of Assisi, Foligno, and Spoleto register the highest number of agricultural workers (both heads of companies and laborers) over 75. The SAU (Superficie Agricola Utilizzata, i.e. cultivated agricultural land) trend over the 1982-2010 period shows an overall 14% reduction, with the highest values reached by the municipalities of Spello (-33%) and Spoleto (-28%), while the lowest values are registered in Trevi (-9%) and Foligno (-1%). This contraction is similar to that in other parts of central Italy, while if you consider only the proposed area and not the entire territory of the interested municipalities, the situation seems to be better, a thing which is also confirmed by the VASA analysis (see specific chapter).

Figure: Cultivated agricultural land over the 1982-2010 period

 Environmental vulnerability:

From the analysis carried out by the ARPA (Regional agency for environmental protection) over the 2000-2012 period, interesting data emerges on the state of health of the environment and the related dynamics in the area. The varied composition of the territory in both demographical terms and from the point of view of production establishments determines a remarkable variability in environmental conditions. In particular, near the main Municipalities the analysis has in some cases shown conditions of environmental emergency. The analysis of bodies of water monitored over the 2002-2007 period has shown how rivers such as the Topino (monitored upstream from Foligno) have a “good” environmental state, while monitoring stations along the Clitunno in the stretch of the Corno river upstream from the confluence with the Nera have reported, during the monitoring period, deterioration, becoming 6

“sufficient.” Underground water, instead, presents good qualitative traits, though some risks of bacteriological and chemical contamination should be mentioned, mainly owing to anthropic activity. As regards the quality of the air, the available data shows that between 2006 and 2012 there were no significant variations, displaying a constant trend in concentration and limits provided for by the law, with the exception of the industrial areas in Foligno and Spoleto where there is a significant concentration of polluting agents such as PM10, presumably in connection with industrial and artisanal activities, mining activities, and traffic. Furthermore, particular attention should be given to the area’s hydrogeological situation and related problems of instability. Based on the elaboration of data from the IFFI inventory (Inventario dei fenomeni franosi in Italia, or Inventory of landslide phenomena in Italy, 2006), it seems that about 9% of the mountainous-hilly territory of the Umbria Region is subject to landslides, with a total instable surface of 651 km2 and a very high number of individual events (34,545). These often fall inside older mother landslides because of the persistence of the instability typical of the Umbrian territory, reason for which the landslides tend to repeat, often in the form of periodic seasonal recurrences, in correspondence with previous landslides. The evolutionary scenery is marked by an abundance of dormant landslides (73%), which makes for a state of instability on which climate conditions can locally or diffusely provoke secondary landslides that reactivate portions of areas already afflicted by instability. Among the causes: the morphologic and geologic configuration, the anthropic pressure of residential and productive areas in intensive development areas, and the depopulation of the high hills and mountains.

 Landscape vulnerability:

Landscape vulnerability is caused by the risk of radical transformations, which in part have already taken place, because of industrial farming and the abandonment of marginal areas. Phenomena of abandonment of waterworks, considered unprofitable in favor of regular layout crops have already taken place, because the latter are more easily automated, causing a decrease in landscape value and aggravating the hydrogeological problem. Some landowners have preserved the terraces but carried out restoration work without following the traditional construction rules in order to lower costs, especially in the choice of materials, for example substituting dry-stone with cement, or even stones with prefabricated blocks. The intensification of crops with a greater tendency to mechanization (such as specialized olive groves and vineyards, or arboriculture for wood or truffles) in areas with a minor incline or in the plains represents another element of landscape vulnerability. The evolution of the rural landscape has gone hand in hand with the transformation of the urban and peri-urban settlement system. The variations of productive systems and of settlement distribution are reflected on the progressive abandonment of historical buildings and capillary communication network. Homesteads were abandoned first in the hilly upper areas, where the new conditions did not allow for an agricultural organization based on traditional production; then also in the proximity of cities and in the valleys, where new artisanal and industrial production activities live side by side with the persistence of the remaining farms, with the residential expansion of the larger cities, and with vacation houses increasing in the foothills. Residential nuclei in peri-urban areas are the first to become strengthened; similarly, we are witnessing the growth of the larger cities, the areas of expansion of which have, over the past 30 years, encompassed most of the new buildings. This phenomenon interests Foligno first and foremost, but in the entire area between Spoleto and Foligno productive and residential spread have eaten up consistent portions of arable land, producing an urbanized strip along the Flaminia.

Figure: Left, terraces rebuilt with prefabricated cement blocks in Collepino (near Spello); right, lunette in Trevi recovered using cement

Figure: Superspecialized olive groves bordering with traditional groves

Figure: Truffle-growing trees and specialized vineyards near Spoleto

Figure: Consequences of crop abandonment

The main vulnerabilities of the area of the olive grove slopes between Assisi and Spoleto: related threats and challenges

The territory’s risk factors, which, if not adequately confronted, could compromise the survival of the food farming system of the olive grove area, are classified below according to the interested field of vulnerability:

1. Aging of resident population and of farm workers Socio-economic

vulnerability 2. Weakness of the agricultural primary sector

1. Abandonment of marginal olive groves

2. Spreading of intensive crops in the plains Landscape vulnerability 3. Restoration work not suitable for the traditional landscape

4. Growth of built-up areas

1. Quality of river water

Environmental 2. Quality of air vulnerability

3. Hydrogeological instability

3.1 Need for intervention and strategic plan for the mitigation of areas of vulnerability The areas of vulnerability above can be ascribed to two vaster dimensions of need and intervention:

area of vulnerability Dimension of need and intervention

socio-economic Agricultural and food farming system

landscape

Cultural and landscape system environmental

For each Dimension some needs have been identified, as follows:

Dimension – AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD FARMING SYSTEMS

- Supporting farms that adopt product, process, organization, and marketing innovations

- Favoring businesses managed by young people and generational turnover by the training of skilled human capital

- Supporting the innovation of agricultural, food farming, and forestry businesses with investments and the efficiency of the production chain

- Improving the appeal and the accessibility of rural territories and of services to the populations in these areas

- Integrated actions of promotion of the rural territory

- Favoring the accessibility, use, and quality of the technologies of the TIC in rural areas

- Development of the infrastructures at the service of farms and forestry companies (roads, water, energy)

Dimension – CULTURAL AND LANDSCAPE SYSTEMS

- Improving the appeal and the accessibility of rural territories and of services to the populations in these areas

- Favoring the accessibility, use, and quality of the technologies in rural areas

- Favoring the enhancement and the protection of the historical, cultural, environmental and landscape heritage

- Integrated actions of promotion of the rural territory

- Favoring the preservation and use of the landscape heritage

- Avoiding the abandonment of mountainous and disadvantaged areas

3.2 Strategic plan for the mitigation of areas of vulnerability

Thus, for each specific aspect in which the areas of vulnerability are declined, various strategic mitigation plans will be devised, corresponding to the abovementioned intervention needs.

Socio- economic vulnerability: Strategic plans for mitigation Actors specific aspects Favoring businesses managed by young people and Umbria Region generational turnover by the training of skilled human Aging of capital Municipality of Assisi, resident Improving the accessibility to services for the population Spello, Foligno, Trevi, population and of rural areas Campello sul Clitunno, of farm Supporting the technological innovation of agricultural, Spoleto workers food farming, and forestry businesses for the purchases of machinery that can operate on terraces Promoting high-quality typical local production by Sviluppumbria promoting marketing actions tying the products to the identity of the territory

Sviluppumbria

Umbria region Making farms aware of available funding (ex. PSR measures) and of how to request it Municipality of Assisi, Spello, Foligno, Trevi , Campello sul Clitunno, Spoleto

Supporting the technological innovation of agricultural, Parco tecnologico 3A PTA food farming, and forestry businesses for the purchases of machinery that can operate on terraces Weakness of Increase of services offered by companies with the Umbria region the agricultural establishment of farm-kindergartens, petting zoos, primary sector environmental education courses, and social agriculture activities

Producing advertising material (guides, handbooks, and Parco tecnologico 3A PTA maps) centered on the agri-cultural value of the rural landscape, establishing visitors’ centers, and promoting the training of environmental guides

Promoting agreements between large-scale retailers and Sviluppumbria farms; promoting on-line sales for the marketing of typical local products and those deriving from the new areas of olive oil products (such as cosmetics)

Increasing opportunities for guided tours of local farms Villa Fabri foundation with sampling of typical local products

Municipality of Assisi, Creating a smartphone app that makes it possible for Spello, Foligno, Trevi , tourists to have all the information necessary to visit the Campello sul Clitunno, area (trails, farms with their productions and activities, Spoleto shows, events, etc.)

Villa Fabri foundation Municipality of Assisi, Promoting agreements between farms and the catering Spello, Foligno, Trevi , industry to support the use of local products Campello sul Clitunno, Spoleto

Promoting organic farming Parco tecnologico 3A PTA Promoting conversion into businesses and direct selling Sviluppumbria as a new opportunity

Villa Fabri foundation Spreading and strengthening of associations in the CIA Umbria primary sector Confagricoltura Umbria Coldiretti Umbria Slow food

Landscape Strategic plans for mitigation Actors vulnerability: specific aspects Developing and promoting the local trail network Villa Fabri foundation

Municipality of Assisi, Spello, Foligno, Trevi , Campello sul Clitunno, Spoleto Supplying economic support and technical skills for Umbria region the restoration of agricultural water supply structures with traditional techniques Abandonment of marginal olive groves Making farms aware of available funding (ex. PSR Umbria Region measures) and of how to request it CIA Umbria Confagricoltura Umbria Coldiretti Umbria LAG Valle Umbra e Sibillini Supporting the technological innovation of Umbria region agricultural, food farming, and forestry businesses for the purchases of machinery that can operate on terraces

Spreading of Favoring the preservation of the large field oaks Municipality of Assisi, intensive crops Spello, Foligno, Trevi , in plains Campello sul Clitunno,

Spoleto Economically supporting the companies that agree to Umbria region preserve the traditional crops of the plains LAG Valle Umbra e Sibillini Supplying economic support and technical skills for Umbria region the restoration of agricultural water supply structures with traditional techniques Municipality of Assisi, Restoration Spello, Foligno, Trevi , work that is not Campello sul Clitunno, consistent with Spoleto the traditional Promoting studies and research on the state of Villa Fabri foundation landscape conservation of agricultural water supply structures and on possible restoration techniques University of Perugia

Supporting and promoting the restoration of Villa Fabri foundation abandoned rural buildings University of Perugia Revising city planning and favoring the recovery of Umbria region Expansion of abandoned buildings and limiting new construction built-up areas Municipality of Assisi, Spello, Foligno, Trevi , Campello sul Clitunno, Spoleto

Environmental Strategic plans for mitigation Actors vulnerability: specific aspects

Umbria region Quality of river Supplying economic support and technical skills for water the restoration of agricultural water supply structures Municipality of Assisi, with traditional techniques Spello, Foligno, Trevi , Campello sul Clitunno, Spoleto Promoting studies and research on the state of Villa Fabri foundation Quality of air conservation of agricultural water supply structures and on possible restoration techniques University of Perugia

Hydrogeological instability

3.3 Policies, strategies and actions supporting the preservation of the proposed area

The general aim of ensuring and improving the standards of the olive grove area between Assisis and Spoleto so that it may be recognized as a GIAHS site, requires an integrated approach using regional and local policy instruments and interventions. In particular, European structural and investment funds (SIE funds) assigned to Italy and the Umbria Region in the planning period 2014-2020 have to be attracted. SIE funds are the key instruments to implement the Europe 2020 strategy, a first level policy programming document that defines the main aims and the instruments for an intelligent, sustainable, and inclusive growth in member states of the EU. The SIE funds assigned to Italy for the 2014-2020 period are the following: • European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), • European Social Fund (ESF), • European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEASR) • European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

The Funds are activated through programs managed both by the central administration (Ministries) and by the Regions. The interventions proposed in the present dynamic action plan are mainly funded by the FEASR, which in Umbria is managed by the Program for the rural development of the Umbria Region 2014-2020, approved by the EC with decision n. C (2015) 4156 on 12.06.2015. The rural development policy funded by the FEASR represents the so-called second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and contributes to the pursuit of the aims of the Europe 2020 strategy, signally with the objective of sustainable growth. The PSR’s strategy for Umbria 2014-2020 is designed coherently with the approach to policies of rural development proposed by the European Commission, with the programming instruments outlined by the community law in the matter of structural funding, and on the basis of the analysis of the regional context from the socio-economic, structural, environmental, and territorial point of view. The PSR outlines the priorities for the use of about 877 million euro available over a period of 7 years (378 million euro from the EU balance and 499 million from State-Region cofunding). The PSR for Umbria focuses on the investments in the agricultural and forestry area, on actions aimed to preserving, restoring, and enhancing ecosystems and the promotion of social inclusion and economic development in rural areas. The general objectives of this Program are: a) Stimulating competitiveness in the agricultural sector; b) Guaranteeing the sustainable management of natural resources and actions for the climate; c) Production of a balanced territorial development of rural economy and communities, including the creation and preservation of jobs.

The three general objectives are pursued through 6 priorities:

1. Promoting the transferal of knowledge and innovation in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. 2. Strengthening, in all regions, the profitability of farms and the competitiveness of agriculture in all its forms and promoting innovative technology for farms and for the sustainable management of forests.

3. Promoting the organization of the food chain, including the transformation and marketing of agricultural products, the wellbeing of the animals, and risk management in the agricultural sector. 4. Preserving, restoring, and enhancing the ecosystems connected to agriculture and silviculture. 5. Promoting the efficient use of resources and the passage to a low carbon emission and climate friendly economy in the agricultural and forestry sector. 6. Working towards social inclusion, the reduction of poverty, and the economic development of rural areas.

The following table shows the financial distribution of the six priorities of the program:

Priorities Public spending (€) % on public spending total amount 1 Innovation and knowledge transfer 97.900.000 11,17% 2 Farm's profitability and competitiveness 186.600.000 21,29% 3 Food chain organization 84.600.000 9,65% 4 Ecosystem preservationand promotion 245.600.000 28,02% Resurces efficient use and shifting to low CO2 5 emission economy 80.000.000 9,13% 6 Social inclusion and poverty decrease 155.656.355 17,76% # Technical assistance 26.294.850,94 3% Total PSR 2014-2020 876.651.205,94 100%

The six priorities of rural development are further articulated in the so-called Focus Areas:

Priority 1) Promoting the transferal of knowledge and innovation in the agricultural and forestry sector and in rural areas:

 Improving the professional skills of agricultural and forestry entrepreneurs with educational, informative, and cooperative interventions.  Favoring the cooperation of the various subjects who compose the entire agricultural and forestry chain and research to introduce, follow, and spread innovation.  Favoring life-long learning to improve the skills, knowledge, and managerial abilities of agricultural and forestry entrepreneurs.

Priority 2) Strengthening, in all regions, the profitability of farms and the competitiveness of agriculture in all its forms and promoting innovative technology for farms and for the sustainable management of forests:

 Increasing the profits of agricultural, zootechnical, and forestry businesses through modernization, innovation, diversification, promotion, and cooperation with particular reference to the areas of tobacco, livestock, wine, oil, and cereals.  Favoring generational turnover in agricultural and forestry businesses by permanently hiring young professionals.

Priority 3) Promoting the organization of the food chain, including the transformation and marketing of agricultural products, the wellbeing of the animals, and risk management in the agricultural sector:

 Favoring the integration and/or aggregation of agricultural and forestry businesses for the increase of added value along the entire production chain, orienting agricultural production towards a greater quality and security, also by the introduction of innovations in process, product, and marketing. 16

 Sustaining the restoration of the productive and infrastructural potential to face calamities.

Priority 4) Preserving, restoring, and enhancing the ecosystems connected to agriculture and silviculture.

 Preserving and protecting biodiversity and expanding agricultural and forestry systems with an elevated natural value while protecting mountainous and disadvantaged areas.  Protecting the quality of superficial and underground water resources especially through eco- compatible and organic processes.  Favoring a better management of agricultural and forestry land also thanks to eco-compatible and organic processes.

Priority 5) Promoting the efficient use of resources and the passage to a low carbon emission and climate friendly economy in the agricultural and forestry sector:

 Expanding and enhancing systems of rationalization of water use in agriculture, also by the introduction of innovations.  Favoring the development of renewable energy in the agriculture and food-farming sectors, also by the introduction of innovations.  Increasing the use of energy from renewable sources also by the introduction of innovations.  Contributing to the mitigation of climate change through productive processes and management practices that reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses and ammonia also by the introduction of innovations.  Supporting production processes that favor carbon sequestration in the agricultural and forestry sectors, also by the introduction of innovations.

Priority 6) Working towards social inclusion, the reduction of poverty, and the economic development of rural areas.

 Favoring the preservation and/or growth of work and income opportunities in rural areas.  Improving the attractiveness and accessibility of the rural territory also thanks to the development and the promotion of basic services for tourists and the population.  Improving on-line accessibility to reduce the disparity in the population and to restore equal development in rural territories.

The PSR for Umbria 2014-2020 provides for, in particular, the funding of n. 19 Measures, which are listed in the following table with indication of the financial availability over the seven years

For every Measure, the Rural Development Plan identifies objectives, beneficiaries, the conditions for accessing the funding, and the amount of the subsidy.

Furthermore, each intervention Measure contributes to the pursuit of different Focus Areas.

In the following table the Measures included in Umbria’s PSR are listed along with the overall financial endowment.

Measures Public spending (€) % COD. Title 1 Knowledge transfer and information actions 10.300.000 1,17% Consulting, substitution and management assistance services in 2 19.300.000 2,20% agricoltural holdings 3 Food and agricoltural products quality chain 7.200.000 0,82% 4 Fixed assets investments 203.200.000 23,18% Restoration of agricoltural potential productivity damaged by 5 catastrophic events or natural disasters and introduction of 18.000.000 2,05% appropriate prevention actions 6 Farms and agricoltural holdings development 35.000.000 3,99% 7 Basic services and improvement of rural areas villages 130.056.355 11,76% Development of forestry areas investment and wood's 8 80.400.000 9,17% profitability improvement 10 Agro-climatic-environmental payments 141.500.000 16,14% 11 Biological agricolture 34.100.000 3,89%

12 Natura 2000 and waters framework directive compensations 8.000.000 0,91%

Compensations for areas subject to natural restrictions or other 13 63.000.000 7,19% specific restictions 14 Animals well-being 5.400.000 0,62% 15 Forest-enviromental and climatic services and forests protection 5.000.000 0,57%

16 Cooperation 68.300.000 7,79% Local development support LEADER - (SLPT- Community -led local 19 48.600.000 5,54% development) TA Technical assistance 26.294.850,94 3% Total 876.651.205,94 100%

Figure: 1 List of latest launched PSR 2014-2020 measures in Umbria

GAL Valle Umbra

The general purpose of the Gruppo di Azione Locale (Local Action Group) Valle Umbra e Sibillini G.A.L. established in 2002 is to contribute to the promotion of rural development based on the guidelines expressed by the CE Commission in relation to CE initiatives in the field of rural development (Leader II, Leader+) and in other CE acts and based on the needs expressed by the economic, social, and cultural subjects who operate on the rural territory. The association contributes to the elaboration and implementation of every action useful to promote a lasting development in rural areas, respectful of cultural and social identities, and of the environment, actively participating in national and CE programs with the same aims.

The association promotes action in the following areas:

 Technical support for rural development  Professional training and help with employment  Rural tourism  Small businesses, crafts, and local services  Enhancement and marketing of agricultural, sylvan, and fish products  Protection and improvement of the environment and of living conditions

Members of the Group are public institutions (local authorities, consortia, and functional institutions), and trade unions and private businesses. In the public category there are three sub-categories: the Province, the Municipality, and non-governmental Public Institutions. In the private category we find trade unions, private associations, banks, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, individuals, and all the other partners who do not belong to the aforementioned sub-categories. The composition of the Group is designed keeping in mind the basis for a positive outcome of any action in the territory: the knowledge of the local context as an essential element for an effective work commitment to development.

In its functions as an Association:

- it promotes integrated strategies for local development, actions elaborated and implemented in the area of active partnerships on a local level, actions of cooperation, exchanges of experience and know-how also thanks to the networks of the rural territories; - it participates in the enhancement of the environmental and historical-cultural heritage, promoting the territory and its local cultures; - it gives technical support, informs, and brings awareness to the local population; - it fosters inter-territorial and transnational cooperation projects; - it participates in cooperation also by the exchange of experiences and know-how; - it participates in the creation and development of thematic networks.

Other structural regional funds supporting agriculture

Aside from the Rural Development Plan 2014-2020 (PSR), the Umbria Region uses other CE and national planning instruments. In particular, thanks to structural funds, the Umbria Region offers support to new and innovative companies and to small and medium businesses, it creates sustainable jobs, improves the environment, promotes rural development, social inclusion and energy efficiency, and promotes competence. The programming instruments in this scenario are: Programma attuativo regionale (PAR) - Fondo per lo sviluppo e la coesione (PAR FSC). The PAR works for the achievement of the development 19 objectives as per clause 5, art. 119 of the Italian Constitution. These resources contribute to the outlining of programs and interventions by the State and the Region in the context of the Institutional Program Agreement. The program provides for interventions that, with national resources, support the communitarian plans in the realization of a unitary regional development policy to overcome territorial imbalances supporting the competitiveness of the Region’s socio-economical apparatus.

Aside from the PSR and FEASR, other possible European funding comes from the FESR, in particular in relation to investments in research, development, and innovation, investments on a vast scale (large infrastructures, urban improvement) or non-agricultural investments.

The European Social Fund (ESF) can, instead, support initiatives for the development of human capital, without overlapping analogous FEASR fundable interventions.

In the following tables, we can see the list of measures supported by the PSR of Umbria 2014-2020.

In the column “Expected Result” the impact of the measures and interventions that can be activated is identified in relation to the dynamic preservation of the olive grove area between Assisi and Spoleto that is applying to become a Giahs Site.

Socioeconomic Strategies Measures Expected results vulnerability PSR Umbria 2014-2020

Measure 1 “knowledge transfer and information action”: Professional update and training measure 1.1 “professional training and acquirement of during the entire work life skills”

Collective initiatives to spread measure 1.2 “Demonstration activities and innovation related to demonstration Support economic initiatives information ” projects favoring the transfer of carried out by young people, research findings favor the replacement of aged workers, develop International exchanges in the form of Aging of the population skilled human capital. measure 1.3 “Short term international exchange, visits stages in European farms and agricultural workers to agricultural companies”

Financial support to farmers not older than 40 years.

Measure 6 “Development of agricultural activities”:

measure 6.1. “Support to start up made by young farmers” PSR 2014-2020 Improve the access to Measure 7 “ improvement of services and renewment services for the rural of villages in rural areas” population

Intervention 7.2.1 support to investments to create, Improvements of road network, improve or increase of road infrastructure” improved accessibility of the rural territory

Intervention 7.2.2 Support to renewable energies and energy saving initiatives Increased use of renewable energies

Intervention 7.2.3 support to investments for the creation or improvement of infrastructures to ensure Improved availability of water water resources resources

Intervention 7.3.1. Support to “broad band” infrastructures in rural areas” Improvement of fundamental services for the well being of the rural Intervention 7.4.1 support to economic investments to population: social services, create and improve the quality of services for the rural recreational, cultural, for local population communities

Intervention 7.6.1 regeneration and valorization of Reduction of the economic and social rural areas decline of rural areas.

Improvement of rural landscapes, Intervention 7.6.2 support to investments for restoration of historical elements, restoration of rural landscapes in critical conditions reduction of abandonment, recovery of marginal territories

PSR Umbria 2014-2020 Support to technological innovation in order to favor Measure 4 “Investments for material assets the purchase of mechanical Purchase of tools and machinery ,for means suited to operate on measure 4.1 support to investments in farms the management and sales of stone terraces agricultural products Intervention 4.1.1 investments to improve the economic performances and sustainability of farming

PSR Umbria 2014-2020

Measure 1 “knowledge transfer and information

actions” Professional update and training

during the entire working life

measure 1.1 professional training and acquisition of

skills

Weakness of the primary Development of human

sector capital Collective intervention finalized to measure 1.2 demonstration activities spread innovations connected to

demonstration projects to speed up

the transfer of research findings

International exchanges in the form of Measure 1.3 short exchanges with other agricultural stages in European farms for young companies and visit to farms. farmers to transfer and acquire new

technologies

PSR Umbria 2014-2020 Incentives Measure 3 “quality of food products” to new farmers for producing high quality foods measure 3.1 – Intervention 3.1.1 support to new quality standards Valorize typical food , actions : promote marketing activties - Valorizing high quality food linking the quality of food to - Increase consumer’s the quality of landscape awareness - Inform food companies measure 3.2 - Intervention 3.2.1 Support to - Inform on environmental information and promotional activities developed by impact of different local producers production methods - Promotion of environmental awareness in schools - Highlight the advantages of local food PSR Umbria 2014-2020 - increased awareness of the Measure 20 technical assistance availability of subsidies ;

Inform farmers on the -increased knowledge on the availability of subsidies Collaboration between the regional government and procedures to access subsidies the following categories: Availability of the following tools: -Provinces, municipalities, and GAL; -web and social media ; -Professional and agricultural organizations, trade - meetings and seminars ; unions - participation to exhibitions; -Social and economic partners - direct communications to single - NGO’s farmers; -Information centers of the EU - publications of news on Umbria 24

Agricoltura; - preparation of specific publications; - TV shows; - Press conferences; - printed matters;

PSR Umbria 2014-2020

Misura 4 “Investimenti in immobilizzazioni materiali” Support to technological innovation in order to favor measure 4.1 support to investments to agricultural Purchase of machineries, for the the mechanization of activities harvest and sales of agricultural agricultural activities on products.. stone terraces Intervention 4.1.1 investiments for the improvement of the performances and global sustainability of agricultural companies

PSR Umbria 2014-2020

Measure 6 “Development of farms and agricultural enteprises

Measure 6.2. “Support to start new business in rural Creation of business capable to Improvement of the variety areas develop activities to strengthen the of services offered by farms links between agriculture and rural including educational farms, landscape, tourism and services for environmental education, the rural population social agriculture.

measure 6.4: Improvement of agritourism, establishment of educational farms, - Intervention 6.4.1: “Improvement and development social farms, environmental education of agritourism” courses. 25

-Intervention 6.4.2 “Creation and development of educational farms” Inclusion of renewable energy production among the activities -Intervention 6.4.3 “Creation and development of contributing to the diversification of social farms”” the rural economy

Intervention 6.4.4 “Investments for renewable energy Development of new small business in plants” new sectors: rural tourism commerce and e-commerce, craft activities to recover local traditions.

Intervention 6.4.5 “Support to create business in the commercial, crafting and tourist sector in rural areas”.

PSR Umbria 2014-2020

Production of advertising Measure 7 “Basic services and renovation of villages” -restoration of tourist trails; material based on the agri-

cultural values of the measure 7.5.1 “support to investments for public -improvement of tourist landscape; creation of visitor recreational infrastructures, small scale tourist accommodations and infrastructures centers, creation of jobs as information and recreational infrastructures” for outdoors activities ; environmental guides;

-restoration of constructions.

Promote agreements PSR Umbria 2014-2020 between big distribution Reduction of transformation costs, companies and farms Misura 4 “Investments in material assets” diversification, new operational structures of production chain. Measure 4.2 support to transformation, trading and development of new agricultural products,

intervention 4.2.1 “support to investments for Development of new small business in transformation, marketing and development of new sectors: rural tourism commerce 26

agricultural products. and e-commerce, craft activities to recover local traditions.

Promote online sales, sales of local foods, and those coming from new products connected to olive oil (e.g. cosmetics) Measure 6 “development of farms and agricultural enteprises”

measure 6.4. “Support to the creation and development of extra farming activities”;

Intervention 6.4.5 Support to create extra farming activities including marketing, handicraft, tourism. PSR Umbria 2014-2020

Measure 3 “quality of agricultural products and food products” Improve the possibility to Free tasting opportunities during visit local farms to taste Measures 3.2 “support to information activities specific events food products developed by local producers”

Produce an app for PSR Umbria 2014-2020 smartphone to allow tourists to receive all the necessary Measure 7 “Basic services to renew villages in rural 27

information to visit areas”

Measure 7.5 “support to public fruition for - restoration of tourist routes; recreational activities, tourist information and tourist infrastructures” -improvement of accommodation quality and other structures for out doors activities; Intervention 7.5.1 “Intervention in recreational infrastructures ,small scale tourist information centers - Restoration of constructions; for public beneficiaries”

PSR Umbria 2014-2020 Measure 16 Cooperation

Promote agreements among measure 16.4 “Support to cooperation in production restaurants and farms to use chains, vertical and horizontal, to create short local products; production chains and local markets, support to promotional activities connected to short production chains and local markets; PSR Umbria 2014-2020 Measure 11 “Organic agriculture”

Measure 11.1 “subsidies to adopt organic production”

Improved soil protection, ecosystem Intervention 11.1 “introduction of organic production” Promote organic agriculture protection, protection of human

health, protection of agrobiodiversity. Measure 11.2 subsidies to maintain organic production practices”

Intervention 11.2 “conservation of organic produciont practices” PSR Umbria 2014-2020 Favor food production in Measure 16 Cooperation Promotional activities developed by farms and direct sales of partnership among farms, public and food products measure 16.4 “Support to cooperation in production private entrepeneurs. Promotional 28

chains, vertical and horizontal, to create short activities aim to the direct sale in local production chains and local markets, support to markets by short production chains promotional activities connected to short production chains and local markets”

PSR Umbria 2014-2020

Measure 16 Cooperation

Measures 16.1 “ support to the creation of local

operational groups for the productivity and

sustainability of agriculture.

- aggregation processes among small Measures 16.3 cooperation among small entrepeneurs operators, to organizer common work programs, share resources, to share plants and resources; develop tourism;

Development of associations - development of common working in the primary sector practices;

Measure 6.14 “Support to cooperation in production - development and /or marketing chains, vertical and horizontal, to create short tourist services for rural tourism” production chains and local markets, support to

promotional activities connected to short production

chains and local markets -cooperation to create short food

chains and local markets, 16.5 “support to common initiatives to mitigate

climate change” -Promotional activities to create short

food chains and local markets, 16.6 “support to cooperation to provide biomass for

food and energy”

Landscape Strategies for mitigation Measures and inteventions Expected results vulnerability

Abandonment of marginal PSR Umbria 2014-2020 olive groves Updating and collective training for Measure 1 “Knowledge transfer and the entire work life information ”: Collective interventions aimed to the Measures 1.1 “Professional training and transfer of innovation, connected to skill acquisition” demonstration projects to accelerate Development of qualified human capital the transfer of research results working in farms Measure 1.2 “Demonstration activities and actions for information” International exchange in the form of stages in European farms Measure 1.3 “Short term exchange and reserved to young farmers and visits to farms” agricultural entrepeneurs to exchange and acquire good practices

PSR 2014-2020 Measure 7 Improvement of services and renovation of villages in rural areas

Measure 7.5.1 support for public-use investments for recreational Enhance and promote the local trail infrastructures, tourist information and network small-scale tourism infrastructures Encouragement of the development Recovery and enhancement of the trail of rural tourism in farms, educational network for sustainable tourism, through farms, etc… the improvement of their accessibility, viability and signposting

Economic and technical support to the PSR 2014-2020 restoration of hydraulic-agrarian works according to traditional techniques Measure 7.2 support investments for the creation, improvement or expansion of all types of small-scale infrastructure

Measure 7.2.3 provision of the water service, as a Support for investments for the creation common resource, is a primary action or improvement of infrastructures to for improving the quality of life in ensure water resources rural areas

Measure 4 “Investments in tangible assets” improvement of existing irrigation Measure 4.1 systems or construction of new support for investments in agricultural installations farms

Intervention 4.1.1 investments to improve the performance and global sustainability of the farm

Measure 4.3 the construction of irrigation systems Support for investment in the of public interest (reservoirs) in order infrastructures necessary for the to decrease, through the development and modernization of diversification of supply sources, the agriculture pressure on groundwater and to 31

rationalize the irrigation uses through Intervention 4.3.1 the reduction of autonomous investments for the management of withdrawals water resources in order to make irrigation more efficient

Promote rural development funds (PSR PSR Umbria 2014-2020 Objectives of the communication measures) in the farms and how to apply strategy: for them Measure 20 Technical assistance -Ensure that beneficiaries are informed about financing possibilities. The implementation of the PSR Measures -to provide beneficiaries with clear, is supported by the Communication comprehensive and up-to-date Strategy of the Program. The latter information on the administrative guarantees that potential beneficiaries, procedures for the presentation, professional organizations, economic and selection and approval of projects. social parties are adequately informed about the opportunities offered by the Instruments: Program and the conditions for access to • information pages in the Region's founds. web site and social media; • conferences and seminars; The Plan has a budget of 3 million euros. • participation in fairs; • personalized communications to Synergistic relationship between the individual farmers; Actions of the Plan and the • creation of supplements and / or communication actions carried out by articles in the Umbria Agriculture the National Rural Network. magazine; • preparation of editorial material for Collaboration between Umbria Region the magazines of the technical and and the following institutions: professional sector, and for the trade - Provinces, Municipalities, GAL unions; - Professional, agricultural and trade • preparation and distribution of union organizations printed material; - Social and economic partners • television services; - ONGs • press conferences; - EU information centers • documentary material and gadgets. 32

Support the technological innovation of PSR Umbria 2014-2020 agricultural, agri-food and forestry companies for the purchase of vehicles Measure 4 “Investments in tangible acquisition of machinery and operating on terraces assets” equipment for the management / execution of operations related to the Measure 4.1 cycle of crops and harvesting, support for investments in agricultural processing and marketing of farms agricultural products.

Intervention 4.1.1 investments to improve the performance and global sustainability of the farm

diffusion of intensive crops promote the maintenance of the large PSR 2014-2020 in the plains oaks that traditionally divide the fields Measure 10 “Agri-climate-environmental payments” financially support companies that are PSR 2014-2020 Payments are granted for: committed to maintain traditional - compliance with integrated lowland crops Measure 10 “Agri-climate-environmental production regulations payments” - increase of organic substance in soils - intercalary vegetable covering Measure 10.1 - maintenance of plant species at risk “Payments for agro-climatic- of erosion environmental commitments” - preservation of regional biodiversity of agricultural interest restoration interventions not Economic and technical support to the PSR 2014-2020 suited to the traditional restoration of hydraulic-agrarian works landscape according to traditional techniques Measure 4 “Investments in tangible assets”

Measure 4.1 support for investments in agricultural with specific reference to the 33

farms improvement of existing irrigation systems or construction of new Intervention 4.1.1 investments to installations improve the performance and global sustainability of the farm with specific reference to the construction of irrigation systems of Measure 4.3 public interest (reservoirs) in order to Support for investment in the decrease, through the diversification infrastructures necessary for the of supply sources, the pressure on development and modernization of groundwater and to rationalize the agriculture irrigation uses through the reduction of autonomous withdrawals Intervention 4.3.1 investments for the management of water resources in order to make irrigation more efficient

Promote studies and scientific research PSR 2014-2020 for the conservation of hydraulic-agrarian works and for the proper techniques for Measure 4 “Investments in tangible their restoration assets” the intervention supports Measure 4.3 infrastructural investments of public Support for investment in the interest for the construction and infrastructures necessary for the improvement of reservoirs development and modernization of agriculture

Intervention 4.3.1 investments for the management of water resources in order to make irrigation more efficient expansion of built-up areas PSR Umbria 2014-2020 The investments that can be financed 34

Support and promote the restoration of include the restoration of existing abandoned rural buildings Measure 4 “Investments in tangible buildings, aimed at improving the assets” farm's overall performance and sustainability Measure 4.1 support for investments in agricultural farms

Intervention 4.1.1 investments to improve the performance and global sustainability of the farm

Review territorial planning at municipal urban planning tool that regulates the level, promoting the recovery of construction activity within the abandoned buildings and limiting new Municipal Regulatory Plans municipal territory buildings

Environmental Strategies Measures Expected results vulnerability

PSR Umbria 2014-2020

Measure 1 “Knowledge transfer and information actions”

Measure 1.1 development of qualified human capital Quality of fluvial waters Professional training and acquisition of Professional update and training operating in the farms skills during the entire working life

Collective intervention finalized to Measure 1.2 spread innovations connected to Demonstration activities demonstration projects to speed up 35

the transfer of research findings

Measure 1.3 International exchanges in form of Quality of air Short-term exchanges with other stages in European farms for young agricultural companies and visit to farms farmers to transfer and acquire new technologies

Economic and technical support to the PSR 2014-2020 restoration of hydraulic-agrarian works Hydrogeological risk according to traditional techniques Measure 4 “Investments in tangible assets” with specific reference to the Promote studies and scientific research for Sub-measure 4.1 improvement of existing irrigation the conservation of hydraulic-agrarian support for investments in agricultural systems or construction of new works and for the proper techniques for farms installations their restoration Intervention 4.1.1 investments to improve the performance and global with specific reference to the sustainability of the farm construction of irrigation systems of public interest (reservoirs) in order to decrease, through the diversification Submeasure 4.3 of supply sources, the pressure on Support for investment in the groundwater and to rationalize the infrastructures necessary for the irrigation uses through the reduction development and modernization of of autonomous withdrawals. agriculture

Intervention 4.3.1 investments for the management of water resources in order to make irrigation more efficient

4 Proposal of establishment of an institution for the management of GIAHS

The creation of an institution for the management of the olive grove area as a GIAHS site is essential to preserve its designation, should the FAO give it this recognition. The six Municipalities involved in the project have thus promoted the establishment of the Management Committee in which there are representatives of the following institutions:

The Management Committee is supported by a Scientific Committee made up of experts in various fields with the specific function of technically and scientifically supporting the decisions of the Management Committee.

The members of the Scientific Committee are the representatives of the following institutions:

 Comune di Trevi, Bernardino Sperandio;  Consiglio dell'Ordine Nazionale dei Dottori Agronomi e dei Dottori Forestali – CONAF, President Andrea Sisti;  Villa Fabri foundation, Antonio Boggia;  Università degli Studi di Perugia, Facoltà di Agraria, Franco Famiani;  CNR Perugia, Representative pending;  Regione Umbria, Representative pending;  Comune di Foligno, Ezio Palini, Agronomist.

The implementation of the measures included in the present action plan, all focused around the integrated logic of the preservation of the olive growing and oil production system, requires the combined intervention of a series of local institutions.

The Management Committee can take on the legal status of non-profit association, with the aim of ensuring the involvement of other institutions which might want to join in time.

5 Monitoring and evaluation of progress and the effects of the implementation of the action plan

The monitoring of the implementation of the Action Plan is ensured by the survey of the indicators connected to the Measures of the PSR Umbria 2014-2020 that, in the context of each Strategic Plan, contribute to the mitigation of the areas of vulnerability.

The Plan of the indicators is in Annex 1 of the present document.