participate in the design and implementation of the local Inner Areas strategy, as happened in several Italian regions. In this case, the mutual advantage is that LAGs are potentially able to better calibrate and target the needs of private actors (especially farmers and SMEs) operating in the main local value chains and economic sectors, while the SNAI approach extends its scope to social services and infrastructures (in mobility and digital terms) to benefit the whole local community. Distinctive features of the Italian approach to STC To conclude, the Italian approach to social and territorial cohesion deploy key value-adding features that make it effective in boosting the sustainability of local value chains and the upgrading of SMEs in strategic economic sectors, the accessibility to essential services (e.g., health, education and training) and infrastructures (e.g., mobility and digital connectivity) for citizens, as well as territorial and urban regeneration processes, and participatory governance mechanisms, thus contributing to SDG localization. Table 3 summarizes these key features and how they have been made operational in concrete terms to drive structural change at the territorial level shaping the evolution of the policy and institutional landscape. Table 3. Key features and their application of the Italian approach to STC Feature SCOPE
Integration between interventions on local
Application
National Operational Programmes (NOPs) in these thematic
economic development processes, essential
fields are managed at the national level and implemented
services and infrastructures for citizens,
across national territories to use the ESI funds and
regeneration processes, and governance
implement the European Cohesion Policy.
capacity-building to reinforce the connection
between development and services towards equality of opportunities and shared prosperity.
Territorial strategies for Inner Areas must – by definition – devote integrated attention to local development and citizens’ services.
The CLLD approach pushes LAGs and regional governments to combine multiple funds – on agriculture, fishery, social issues – in their rural development strategies.
OWNERSHIP
Strong local leadership and responsibilities
for both strategic programming and implementation played by LRGs (from
LRGs are responsible for planning and managing the use of ESI funds through Regional Operational Programmes.
LRGs and their associations act as leaders and responsible – through signed binding agreements – for the design and
regional governments to metropolitan and municipal authorities).
implementation of the Inner Areas strategy in their territory.
LRGs are co-founders and members of the LAG to guide the rural development process.
MULTILEVEL
Supervision, technical assistance and
GOVERNANCE
financing role by national institutions, along
institutional coordination between the European Union and
with alignment with European policies,
State and regional administrations.
approaches and funds.
The Cohesion Policy Department is responsible for inter-
The national technical Committee of the SNAI supports the design of territorial strategies through external expertise and assistance.
The Territorial Cohesion Agency and national Ministries involved signing a binding Framework Programme Agreement to implement each territorial Inner Areas strategy.
The National Rural Network and the European Network for
34
