More than 30 billion euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF +) will go to the less developed regions of southern Italy. The aim is to reduce the still large gap between regions in terms of economic activity, job opportunities, education and access to services and health care. Over € 8.7 billion from the ERDF will be devoted to making energy more accessible, clean and safe to invest in a low-carbon, circular economy, as well as energy-efficient renovations in public buildings. Furthermore, the resources of the ERDF will be invested to strengthen sustainable mobility and to make regions, cities and infrastructures more resistant to the impacts of climate change and natural hazards. Italy will invest in measures for adaptation to climate change , risk prevention and resilience to phenomena such as storms, floods and droughts. For example, € 1.2 billion from the ERDF will improve the efficiency of the national water network , while promoting digitalisation and smart monitoring also in the wastewater treatment sector. One billion from the Just Transition Fund (Jtf) will help mitigate the impacts of the green transition and support the diversification of economic activities currently based on carbon-intensive industries. The most affected areas of the country are Sulcis Iglesiente 'in Sardinia and the Taranto area in Puglia. Italy will allocate € 9.5 billion to improve the competitiveness of industry in all regions, the digitization and productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises and to support research, development and innovation. Of the ESF + 15 billion will be invested in social inclusion measures and in active labor market and training measures to promote youth employment under the Youth Guarantee, for example through apprenticeships, as well as self-employment and training. entrepreneurship. From the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (Feamp) 518 million will contribute to the creation of a sustainable and low-carbon fisheries and aquaculture sector in the Mediterranean, strengthen the sustainable exploitation and management of aquatic resources and maritime and promote innovation. It will also promote the decarbonisation of the blue economy sectors, the protection of the marine environment and biodiversity. Particular attention will be given to local coastal communities. |