IP/00/812
Brussels, July 19, 2000
Structural Funds: Commission approves 7-year
training and employment framework for Italy
The European Commission has approved the 'Objective 3 Community
Support Framework' for Central and Northern Italy for the next seven years.
This Objective, financed by the European Social Fund, supports the
adaptation and modernisation of education, training and employment
policies and systems. EU funding for the seven year period will total € 3 887
million. The decision is one of several currently being adopted by the
Commission to launch the new Structural Funds programming period.
Presenting the agreement, Anna Diamantopoulou Anna Diamantopoulou,
Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, said: "The new Objective 3
Community Support Framework sets out a wide-ranging and ambitious programme
to support and develop Italy's labour market. The objectives and priorities of the
European Employment Strategy and of the Italian National Action Plan are clearly
reflected throughout the Framework document, which sets out an agenda for
addressing unemployment, the skills deficits and the social inclusion of
disadvantaged groups and their integration into the labour market".
The Community Support Framework (CSF) for Italy responds directly to the Council's
Recommendations on the 1999 National Action Plan for Employment, with particular
emphasis on the prevention of youth and adult unemployment, the reform of
employment services, improvement of the quality of vocational training,
entrepreneurship and the job creation potential of the service sector as well as
policies to address the wide gender gaps in employment and unemployment.
CSF priorities
The ESF budget of ÿ3 887 million will be allocated as follows:
Active labour market policies to help job seekers, including the development and
promotion of preventive measures to combat unemployment, actions to facilitate the
re-integration of the long term unemployed and strengthening the reform of
employment services (32.5%)
Development of education, vocational training and counselling to as part of a lifelong
training policy. Measures to support the integration of training, education and
employment systems (29%)
Measures to promote flexibility in the labour market , promoting competitiveness and
developing entrepreneurship (20%)
Equal opportunities for women in the labour market, in particular by improving access
to learning and removing barriers to employment (10%)
Integration into the labour market of people most at risk of social exclusion (5.5%)
Technical assistance to implement the CSF will receive 3% of the resources.
Decentralised implementation
A new feature of the Italian Objective 3 programme is that it will have a much
stronger regional and decentralised focus than in previous programming periods.
The Community Support Framework will be implemented though 15 Operational
Programmes (OP): one for each region and one for the Ministry of Labour. These
programmes are currently being negotiated with the Italian authorities and should be
adopted in the next few months. Once the OPs have been approved, the 'Managing
Authorities', which in the case of Italy are the regions, will publish calls for
applications and then select and monitor projects on the ground.
The partnership to oversee the CSF, the Programme Monitoring Committee, will be
made up of representatives from the European Commission, the Ministry of Labour,
the regions, the social partners and national organisations with particular interest in
Objective 3. This committee will also have a key role in financial implementation and
monitoring, and the strengthening of evaluation strategies and audits/financial control
arrangements.
Objective 3 in Italy covers the entire country with the exception of the Objective 1
regions. Objective 3 regions are: Valle d'Aosta, Piemonte, Liguria, Lombardia,
Veneto, Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano, Provincia Autonoma di Trento, FriuliVenezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna, Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Lazio, Abruzzo.
European Social Fund support for Objective 1 areas will be included in the individual
Objective 1 programmes, which will be adopted by the Commission over the coming
months.
2
The European Social Fund
2000 - 2006
Facts on Italy
1
2
Objective 3
The areas eligible for financing
under Objective 3 are those not
covered by Objective 1.
The Labour Market in Italy: Key Challenges
Key Economic Indicators 1999

GDP growth rate (1999)
Employment rate:
1.4
52.5%
Unemployment rate
11.3%
Unemployment ratio of young
people (<25 years)
12.4%




High long term unemployment rate: 30% of
unemployed have been out of work for more than 12
months
Youth unemployment rates still high
Barriers to female participation in the labour market
e.g. affordable childcare
Educational attainment levels and participation rates in
lifelong learning need to be increased
Regional imbalances: unemployment rate in the
southern regions is 22% (Centre-North 6.5%).
The ESF and the European Employment Strategy: Priorities in Italy






1
2
Prevention of youth and adult unemployment
Reform of employment services
Improvement of the quality of vocational training
Entrepreneurship and the job creation potential of the service sector
Policies to address the wide gender gaps in employment and unemployment
Pursue efforts to expand and improve the quantity and quality of childcare provisions
Objective 1: Promoting the development and structural adjustment of regions whose development is
lagging behind.
Objective 2: Supporting the economic and social conversion of areas facing structural difficulties.
Objective 3: Supporting the adaptation and modernization of policies and systems of education,
training and employment.
On 12 July 2000, the Commission approved a decision in principle on the list of Italy's regions and
areas eligible under Objective 2 of the Structural Funds. A detailed map is available for download at
the following Internet site: http://www.inforegio.cec.eu.int/wbnews/new_en.htm.
European Commission  DG Employment & Social Affairs
Breakdown of Financial Allocation by Objective (in EUR Million) 3
28484
30000
25000
21935
Obj. 1
ex-Obj. 1
20000
Obj. 2
ex-Obj.2/5b
15000
Obj. 3
10000
FIFG
Total
3744
5000
2145
187
377
96
0
Breakdown of Financial Allocation by Sector





Active labour market policies
Equal opportunities for all
Lifelong learning
Adaptability and Entrepreneurship
Improvement of women's participation





32.4%
5.6%
29%
20%
10%





€
€
€
€
€
1 256 m
220 m
1 128 m
778 m
339 m
Achievements of the Last Programming Period (1994 - 1999)



Programme fully committed
60% achieve a positive outcome (job or further training)
Improved participation in lifelong learning
Contacts
Useful Links
Ministero del Lavoro e della providenza sociale
Missione FSE – Ufficio Centrale OFPL
Vicolo d’Aste 12
I-00159 Roma
Tel: + 39-644.40.373
Fax : +39-643.58.85.45
E-mail: fse@europalavoro.it
The ESF in Italy:
http://www.europalavoro.it
The ESF in Europe:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/employ
ment_social/index_en.htm
European Commission
Directorate-General Employment and Social Affairs
Unit Information and Publications
- Employment and ESF
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200
1049 Brussels
Belgium
Fax.: +32 2 295 49 18
E-mail: empl-info@cec.eu.int
3
1 EUR = 1936,27 ITL.
The table does not include Community Initiatives and innovative measures.
4
The European Social Fund
1994 - 1999
Success Stories in Italy
Project title:
Training programme for the development of skills
vital to the management of Structural Funds
Promoter:
Department of public service
Partners:
Promoter: Luiss Management SpA
Implementing organisation: Temporary Enterprise Association (Luiss Managment SpA, Isvor
Fiat, Galgano associati, Cscd)
Beneficiaries:
This initiative is addressed to officers in charge managing Structural Funds from the provincial
and municipal authorities of the Abruzzo region.
Description:
Special emphasis has been given on the development of new skills and attitudes: technical
and operational skills aimed at problem-solving, more rational and flexible procedures,
organisational improvements. The programme is divided into three phases: the first to
develop basic skills, knowledge of economic policy issues and local development processes,
expertise (information system, statistics, accounting, relational, organisational problems). The
second tries to expand on this basic knowledge and to discuss potential and real problems,
with specific focus on analysing projects and standard cycles used by EU and on learning
about innovative financing tools. Finally, the third phase is a training activity measure on the
practical measures to undertake in Structural Fund management and includes simulation
exercises to test the skills acquired.
Main Objectives:
The management of Structural Funds, the presentation and evaluation of projects, which
could be financed, the assistance to promoters are all part of a process characterised by
specific procedures and mechanisms. The skills required to public officers in order to perform
this activity, are numerous and often acquired on the job. The growing importance of EU
financing and the ability to master the procedures involved determine the need for a specific
and complete training of people managing this innovative field. This initiative tries to improve
and increase the ability to use and manage funds.
Main Results:
The action develops in an homogeneous way the various aspects of Structural Fund
management, providing both common basic skills on economic and political issues and on
processes for local development, and expertise on the main activity carried out with the single
contexts of reference. Finally, the training cycle is completed by an introduction to all
innovative financing tools in order to develop specific skills in the implementation of control
and management activities.
EU Funding:
National Funding:
€269 784,17 (ITL 522.375.000 [FSE])
€89 928,06 (ITL 174.125.000)
For more information on this project, please contact:
Useful Links
Luiss Management SpA
Via Pola 12
I-00100 Rome
 06-852221
For more general information on the ESF, please
contact:
Useful Links
1. Ministero del Lavoro e della providenza sociale
Missione FSE – Ufficio Centrale OFPL
Vicolo d’Aste 12
I-00159 Roma
 + 39-644.40.373
Fax : +39-643.58.85.45
E-mail: fse@europalavoro.it
1. The ESF in Italy:
http://www.europalavoro.it
2. The ESF in Europe:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/em
ployment_social/index_en.htm
2. European Commission
Directorate-General Employment and Social Affairs
Unit Information and Publications
– Employment and ESF
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200
B - 1049 Brussels
Fax.: +32 2 295 49 18
E-mail: empl-info@cec.eu.int
European Commission  DG Employment & Social Affairs
2016
Last updated: 16 February
The European Social Fund
1994 - 1999
Success Stories in Italy
Project title:
Historical photography restoration and conservation
Promoter:
Vocational Training Centre of Sinalunga (Siena)
Partners:
Location of course: “Chartarius” Association (San Casciano dei Bagni, Siena)
Beneficiaries:
Young people holding an upper secondary school certificate
Description:
The course involves 15 students admitted after a selection, and is divided into four training
types:
Historical and archive training. History of photography and its techniques; history of
libraries and archives creations; photographic sources and bibliography; history and theory
of restoration; interpretation of the photographic image, etc…
Scientific training. Elements of chemistry, physics and biology; production of
photographic copies using the various historical techniques, etc…
Conservation training. Identification of photographic procedures and supports;
recognition of forms of decay; study of deteriorating agents; analysis of materials suitable
for archiving photographs, etc…
Training and experience on direct restoration.
In addition, there are lessons on business organisation and safety, hygiene on the job. At
the end of the course. Each student should undertake a one month stage in the one of the
major public institution preserving photographs.




Main Objectives:
Italy has an enormous photographic patrimony held in different locations such as the artistic
patrimony authorities, academies, archives, libraries and museums and consisting of
various material: daguerreotypes, gelatine, collodion negative, slides on glass, nitrates,
motion-picture film, autochromies, just to give some examples. Up to now in Italy neither
research or university institute nor restoration institutes offered such a specialised course
for in photographic history and restoration.
Main Results:
The course has allowed the first graduates to easily find a job, fostering close co-operation
with various institutions: the Museum and Academy of Brera in Milan, the Photographic
Archive in Rome, the Italian Foundation for photography in Torino, The Andersen Museum
in Rome and the National Moulding Institute. In addition, the “Chartarius” Association has
encouraged the establishment of a private laboratory for Photographs and Paper restoration
in San Casciano dei Bagni. The course, besides the merit of meeting market demand, has
also contributed to the dissemination of knowledge on the value of photography as well as
the culture of its conservation.
EU Funding:
€128 608,85 (ITL 249.021.450)
National Funding:
€157 188,57 (ITL 304 359 550)
For more information on this project, please contact:
Useful Links
Vocational Training Centre of Sinalunga (Siena)
Via Piave 173
53080 Sinalunga
 (39) 0577 679145
fax: (39) 0577679966.
For more general information on the ESF, please
contact:
Useful Links
3. Ministero del Lavoro e della providenza sociale
Missione FSE – Ufficio Centrale OFPL
Vicolo d’Aste 12
I-00159 Roma
 (39) 644.40.373
Fax : (39) 643.58.85.45
E-mail: fse@europalavoro.it
3. The ESF in Italy:
http://www.europalavoro.it
4. The ESF in Europe:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/em
ployment_social/index_en.htm
4. European Commission
Directorate-General Employment and Social Affairs
Unit Information and Publications
– Employment and ESF
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200
B - 1049 Brussels
Fax.: (32) 2 295 49 18
E-mail: empl-info@cec.eu.int
European Commission  DG Employment & Social Affairs
2016
Last updated: 16 February
The European Social Fund
1994 - 1999
Success Stories in Italy
Project title:
AFOS: Alta formazione in orchestra sinfonica
(High-level training in a symphony orchestra)
Promoter:
“Arturo Toscanini” Foundation, Parma
Partners:
Multi-regional project: Emilia Romagna – Lazio - Lombardia
Beneficiaries:
Long-term unemployed
Description:
This is a three-year, multi-regional project for 80 unemployed musicians who play
various instruments, including violin, cello, double-bass, flute and trumpet, and
who hold a diploma from a national conservatoire. The project is divided into
courses for the three families of instruments (string, woodwinds, brass). Classes
are also held together where appropriate. Teachers on the project are highly
experienced soloists or lead players in well-known orchestras and are attached to
either European or American music schools.
Main Objectives:
The aim of this project is not only to improve musical knowledge but also to
increase the participants' awareness of work opportunities in the sector.
Particular emphasis is given to organisational skills, making the students capable
of planning their activities effectively and promoting their products on the record
market. Through a unique approach to working life a greater awareness of their
role, and an ability to promote themselves, students are better equipped with the
skills they need to embark on innovative and long-term careers.
Main Results:
The project takes place within the framework of the 7 year-old music promotion
scheme, run by the “Arturo Toscanini” Foundation, in co-operation with the Emilia
Romagna Regional Authorities and the Municipal and Provincial Authorities of
Parma. As part of their training, the students undertake a stage in the “Arturo
Toscanini” symphony orchestra, one of the most challenging and rewarding
aspects of the whole project. The creation of a mixed group of students and fulltime musicians makes it possible to perform large symphonic productions.
EU Funding:
€857.438,86 (= ITL 1.660.233.150)
National Funding:
€1.047.980,83 (= ITL 2.029.173.850 [Ministry of Labour])
For more information on this project, please contact:
Useful Links
“Arturo Toscanini” Foundation
via G. Tartarini 13
I-43100 Parma
 (39) 0521 2741
For more general information on the ESF, please
contact:
Useful Links
5. Ministero del Lavoro e della providenza sociale
Missione FSE - Ufficio Centrale OFPL
Vicolo d’Aste 12
I-00159 Roma
 + 39-644.40.373
Fax: +39-643.58.85.45
E-mail: fse@europalavoro.it
5. The ESF in Italy:
http://www.europalavoro.it
6. The ESF in Europe:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/
employment_social/index_en.
htm
6. European Commission
Directorate-General Employment and Social Affairs
Unit Information and Publications
– Employment and ESF
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200
B - 1049 Brussels
Fax: +32 2 295 49 18
E-mail: empl-info@cec.eu.int
European Commission  DG Employment & Social Affairs
2016
Last updated: 16 February