Italy

Delineated in 2005 after thorough deliberations, the new approach to the Lisbon Strategy has led to a clearer definition of its objectives: growth and employment. Italy, like other Member States, spelled out the priorities and tools in the National Reform Programme (NRP) of 2005. The NRP and its annual updates have been evaluated by the Commission, while the European Council has approved specific recommendations for improving the coordination of the reform policies and increasing their effectiveness.

The National Research Programme is a tool created by the government in order to coordinate the development of research activities in the country. Instruments involved already exist or will be activated by various Ministries and Regions. The objective, in terms of the Programme, is to establish national coordination of interventions by finding a shared identification of institutional roles. The Programme, therefore, represents the framework for all governments, central and peripheral, responsible for research and innovation.

The National Operational Programme "Research and Competitiveness 2007-2013", co-funded by the European Regional Development for Convergence Regions (Campania, Puglia, Calabria and Sicily), is an instrument by which the research system and the business community can identify and develop new solutions to increase their competitiveness and improve the economic status of the regions. The purpose of the Programme is to increase the ability to produce and use research and innovation excellence in the four regions, to ensure lasting and sustainable development in these territories.

The overall objective of the National Implementation Programme "Research and Competitiveness", covering both Southern and Central/Northern Regions, is to enhance the capability of producing and using high quality research and innovation for the initiation of a lasting and sustainable development. The overall objective is divided into two distinct, though interrelated specific objectives that reiterate the same areas and lines of action relating to National Operational Programme, co-funded by Structural Funds, in order to enhance the intensity of action. These objectives are: 1) Support for structural changes and strengthening of scientific-technological potential for transition to a knowledge economy; 2) Strengthening the innovative development of competitiveness.

The National Research Programme is a tool created by the Government in order to coordinate the development of research activities in the Country. Instruments involved already exist or will be activated by various Ministries and Regions. The objective, in terms of the Programme, is to establish national coordination of interventions by finding a shared identification of institutional roles. The Programme, therefore, represents the framework for all Governments, central and peripheral, responsible for research and innovation.