Subject: Calabria regional operational programme 2014-2020: delays in the implementation of the strategy for the development of rural inland areas
In the context of the Regional Operational Programme (ROP) for Calabria 2014/2020, the strategy for the development of rural inland areas is experiencing significant delays.
With this strategy, the Region intends to support areas that are far removed from the big urban centres, through interventions aimed at improving essential services, economic development and the exploitation of unused land capital.
According to the ministerial classification, around 80 % of Calabrian municipalities – that is a total of 327 – can be classified as ‘rural inland areas’.
Despite a financial envelope of approximately EUR 200 million from the ERDF, ESF and EAFRD funds, the implementation of the National (SNAI) and Regional Development Strategies (NSAI) for rural inland areas is proceeding very slowly.
Almost four years after the approval of the Regional Strategy (Regional Executive Decision No 490 of 27 November 2015), and more than one year after the approval of the Guidelines through Regional Executive Decision No 215 of 5 June 2018, not a single action has been completed.
In view of this, we should be grateful if the Commission would answer the following questions:
– How much has been spent so far on the implementation of the national and regional strategies for the development of rural inland areas in Calabria?
– Are the timeframes for the implementation of these strategies in Calabria suitable for reversing the process of depopulation of rural inland areas by improving the quality of life of communities and regenerating the local economy?
Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission
(17 January 2020)
The national and regional strategies (SNAI and NSAI) for inner areas are a pilot initiative inserted under the programming period 2014-20 in Italy.
Given its experimental nature, both beneficiaries and managing authorities, due to capacity issues, are encountering difficulties in establishing local strategies and implementing investments.
Under the regional operational programme Calabria 2014-20, these strategies have not yet produced any spending. The national strategy for inner areas applied in Calabria allocated EUR 29.9 million and covers four areas: Reventino-Savuto, Grecanica, Ionian Serre, Sila and Presila Crotonese and Cosentina. The strategies of the first two areas are expected to be approved by the national committee for inner areas by December 2019, while the latter two strategies are still under preparation.
Given the limited financial allocation and the nature of pilot initiatives, in 2014-20 these strategies are implemented only in few inner areas with the aim of identifying good practices and contribute, inter alia, to reverse population trends. These potential good practices are to be used more extensively in the future, including during the programming period 2021-27.