Browsing by Author "Favaretto, Giacomo"
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- Are structural funds helping regional development in Italy? Regional comparisons and smart specialisationsPublication . Favaretto, Giacomo; Pinto, HugoThe European regions are diverse and have faced many challenges. One of the critical aspects of European Union policy is its attempt to mitigate regional development differences by stimulating economic and social cohesion. The aim of this Dissertation is to contribute for the comprehension of the effectiveness of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) within Italy. These funds are the main tool of European Union to accomplish the aim of a full socio-economic cohesion. Italy is a particularly interesting member-state as it has experienced many phases of European integration and encompasses a variety of types of regions, with a large range of socio-economic levels. The first three chapters of the Dissertation are a literature review of main concepts needed to reflect on the Dissertation topic. After the chapter number one, that introduces the reader to the project, chapter number two, is dedicated to the Smart Specialisation concept. Smart Specialisation regards the Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation. Here are also evaluated some key elements for a successful Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) a characterising one is the hybrid topdown approach with bottom-up elements through which the RIS3 should be build. Afterward the chapter looks upon this concept and strategies in Italy providing some examples of projects implemented. The chapter number three describes the European Policy related to the Structural funds, it clarifies the European framework for funding and the Europe 2020 strategy. A general overview is made on the implementation of the funds in Italy. Some examples of successful projects implemented in Italy are displayed and a peculiar focus is given to the OpenCoesione portal. Chapter number four deals with the description of the Italian economic context. The Italian economic structure is outlined, sector by sector, with a special attention to Tourism and the Tertiary sector which are the main forces of the Italian economy. The case of the Italian Mezzogiorno is considered and a spotlight is given to the Patti per il Sud programme. This chapter concludes with a review of specific studies on the impacts of Structural funds. The chapter number five is committed to an original analysis of Structural funds and relevant indicators, especially in the 2007-2013 programming period. Data and methodologies of the analysis are explained then a descriptive analysis of the Indicators is defined. Following, the view is on the growth of the Indicators in the range of years taken into account, from year 2007 to 2016. Finally, some indices are created and used in the following part aimed to a statistical analysis including Cluster analysis. The last chapter is the chapter number six. It is a summary of reflections to be made and conclusions to be drawn after the whole work of Dissertation project and after the done analysis. European Structural funds are certainly helping the Regional development in Europe and in Italy but there is still space for a substantial improvement in the direction of a coordinate regional development which aims to a deeper socio-economic cohesion.