Programme under the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Operational Programme 'Autonomous Province of Trento'
Programme description
On 7 September 2007, the European Commission approved a Regional Operational Programme for the Autonomous Province of Trento in Italy for the period 2007-2013. The Operational Programme falls within the framework laid out for the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective and has a total budget of around €64 million. Community assistance through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to some €19 million, which represents approximately 0.1% of the total EU investment earmarked for Italy under the Cohesion Policy 2007-2013.
1. Aim and purpose of the programme
The Autonomous Province of Trento intends to promote territorial development based on competitiveness and innovation, at the same time respecting the local environment and also making use of the environment to generate sustainable economic development.
The programme therefore focuses on key sectors such as information and communication technologies (ICT), research, renewable energy, environmental restoration, making use of the potential of young people, launching new entrepreneurial activities, and exploiting the cultural and natural heritage. Concentrating on these themes, the Autonomous Province of Trento will contribute to the achievement of the objectives laid down by the Lisbon Strategy, allocating approximately 84% of ERDF funding to sustainable economic growth with new and better jobs. The programme is also consistent with the conclusions of the Göteborg European Council (2001), starting from the assumption that the economic, social and environmental effects of policies should form an integral part of the decision-making process.
The main tasks of the Autonomous Province of Trento, with the help of the Structural Funds, will be:
- to promote energy efficiency, sustainable energy and low-emission technologies, and promote and improve the environment in favour of economic development;
- to increase investment in research and technological development (RTD), particularly with regard to ICT; support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in promoting their competitiveness, innovation and productivity; and prevent ‘digital delay’ and close the ‘digital divide’;
- to significantly increase employment levels, particularly among women and young people, and retain older workers in the labour market.
2. Expected impact of investments
The aim of the programme is to:
- increase the quantity of energy produced from renewable sources and increase to 100% the consumption of electricity produced from renewable sources;
- increase public and private spending in the RTD sector;
- increase the percentage of internet users in the province of Trento from approximately 37% to 60%;
- improve the degree of dissemination of ICT among municipalities, and in particular facilitate access to information flows in order to reduce the digital divide (particularly in mountain areas);
- increase the business start-up rate and the total number of active businesses;
- continue to attract tourists, and increase the number of tourist overnight stays in accommodation.
3. Priorities
The Operational Programme is structured according to the following priorities:
Priority 1: Energy, Environment and ‘Technological District’ [approximately 52% of total funding]
This priority focuses on promoting research and competitiveness for products and systems geared towards environmental sustainability.
Priority 2: Information and communication technologies (ICT) [approximately 26% of total funding]
This priority aims to close the digital divide through the adoption and effective use of new information and communication technologies.
Priority 3: Entrepreneurship [approximately 6% of total funding]
This priority focuses on supporting entrepreneurship and developing new businesses.
Priority 4: Sustainable local development [approximately 12% of total funding]
This priority aims to support the attractiveness and competitiveness of the territory of the province of Trento by exploiting the environmental, natural, historical and cultural heritage through sustainable development.
Priority 5: Technical assistance [approximately 4% of total funding]
This priority seeks to ensure a correct, effective and efficient system for managing and implementing the Operational Programme.
4. Managing Authority
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy, Environment and 'Technological District' | 10.028.943,00 | 23.400.370,00 | 33.429.313,00 |
| Information and communication technologies (ICT) | 5.014.471,00 | 11.700.186,00 | 16.714.657,00 |
| Entrepreneurship | 1.157.186,00 | 2.700.043,00 | 3.857.229,00 |
| Sustainable local development | 2.314.371,00 | 5.400.086,00 | 7.714.457,00 |
| Technical Assistance | 771.457,00 | 1.800.029,00 | 2.571.486,00 |
| Total | 19.286.428,00 | 45.000.714,00 | 64.287.142,00 |