Brussels, 27/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission adopted decisions in principle approving Italian "Objective 2" programmes for five regions (Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Marche, Valle d'Aosta) and two provinces (Bolzano and Trento). The Commission has earmarked an envelope of 610 million euro from the Structural Funds that will enable some 1.990 billion euro in investments to be mobilised from the public and private sectors. All the Objective 2 Programmes in Italy have been the subject of a decision in principle. Final adoption by the Commission for all programmes is scheduled for August/September. It will then be up to the Italian management authorities to adopt the complementary planning documents, setting out the selection criteria that will allow for the definition of projects eligible for the funding and hand these to the Commission. Implementation on the ground may then begin. An advance of 7% of the Community Funds will be transferred to that effect.
In Italy, Objective 2 programmes concern the regions in the central-northern part of the country and cover a population of 7.402 million, to which must be added 5.904 million under transitional support. The main priorities of the programmes are as follows:
Bolzano (32.4 million euro in Community contributions): (1) environmental quality assurance and the development of historical, cultural and environmental resources. (2) creation of infrastructures for economic development (information technology and the maintenance of infrastructures which are important for the rural community) and (3) promotion of the competitiveness of SMEs and standards of excellence and quality in the region of Alto Adige;
Lombardy (200.4 million euro): (1) development of the competitiveness of Lombardy's economic system, (2) preservation and development of the natural heritage, (3) development of environmental resources;
Valle d'Aosta (16 million euro): actions for economic and social re-conversion towards more competitive enterprises, notably in the tourism sector;
Trento (17 million euro): (1)create the economic conditions required for commercial development and manufacturing growth, increased competitiveness and productivity, and growth in employment, and to develop the voluntary social sector, (2) highlight and utilise indigenous, local and environmental resources;
Marche (125.28 million euro): (1) support for the development of industrial and craft businesses (through measures aimed at strengthening and improving productive structures in an environmentally-friendly way), (2) improvement and protection of the area and exploitation of the environmental and cultural heritage, (3) diversification of economic activities, particularly those connected with the tourist and cultural sectors and those geared towards enhancing the quality of life and social well-being in least favoured areas;
Emilia-Romagna (122.7 million euro): (1) support for businesses (innovation and internal organisation), (2) assisting depressed areas in the region;
Friuli-Venezia Giulia (96.5 million euro): (1) promoting enterprise culture and expanding business services and support infrastructures for research and innovation, (22) sustainable development of environmental, natural and cultural resources, and (3) developing mountainous areas by reducing disparities in development.