Access to European funding in many areas of Italy

Incentives for economic and social development can be used in Italy granted by the European Union through the so-called Structural Funds: ESF, ERDF, EAGGF, FIFG. The use of the resources made available by these Funds varies according to the area of location of the firm (Objective 1, Objective 2, Objective 3).

Objective 1

The resources available finance the operations which promote development and the provision of basic infrastructure to those Regions where development is lagging behind. In geographical terms, the Italian regions which can be considered under Objective 1 for the 2000-2006 programming period are Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily.

Objective 2

Objective 2 seeks to support economic and social conversion in areas facing structural difficulties. It is financed by the ERDF structural fund. Objective 2 is applicable in the following areas:

- industrial areas with rates of unemployment over the EU average, percentage of jobs in the industrial sector greater than the EU average and employment downturns in the industrial sector;
- rural areas with scarce population density or high rate of employment in the agricultural sector, together with a high level of unemployment or a reduction in population;
- urban areas with at least one of the following criteria: high level of long term unemployment, high levels of poverty, environmental degradation, criminality and delinquency, low levels of education;
- areas dependent on fishing with a high quota of employment in the fishing sector and a decrease in jobs within this sector.


Objective 3

Objective 3 of the structural funds is aimed at encouraging the adaptation and modernisation of policies and systems of education, training and employment. The measures allowed within this objective are applicable in those regions which do not qualify under Objective 1.