Innovation and renewable energies – key ingredients for success of Cohesion Policy in Umbria
Danuta Hübner, the European Commissioner for regional policy, visited Perugia and the region of Umbria in central Italy to see projects co-funded by the European Cohesion Policy. The projects include a pioneering firm which produces recyclable 'bio-plastic' and a church in Assisi which the EU helped to restore after it was damaged in an earthquake. Commissioner Hübner will hold talks with Maria Rita Lorenzetti, President of the Region, members of the regional government and socio-economic partners regarding the implementation of cohesion investments and the need for more focus on research and development.
Commenting on the eve of her visit, Commissioner Hübner said: “During this period of severe economic uncertainty, Europe's Cohesion Policy provides a rock of stability for Member States and regions. Recent indicators show that economic conditions have been improving in Umbria, but there is still an urgent need to raise public and private expenditure in the research and development sector (R&D).The region can certainly take a lot of satisfaction from the fact that its production and consumption of renewable energy are above the Italian and, indeed, the European average. I urge all those responsible for implementing programmes supported by the EU Cohesion Policy to work together, to build on Umbria's strengths, to overcome weaknesses and to deliver concrete results for the citizens.”
New programme for 2007-2013
When designing its Cohesion Policy programme for 2007-2013, Umbria set ambitious targets: the creation of 2,000 jobs, a 5% increase in exports, universal availability of broadband or wireless internet access, and a 5% increase in the production of renewable energies. The first “calls for proposals” in response to these targets have now been launched by the region, which will enable hundreds of projects to receive support from the European Union, provided that they are line with the priorities fixed by the programme. In total, the region will benefit from €583.5 million in support from the European Union: this includes €150 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), €99 million from the European Social Fund (ESF), and €334.5 million from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) (MEMO/08/58).
Concrete projects supported by European Cohesion policy
Commissioner Hübner will visit the Novamont company in Terni, a pioneer in the sector of biodegradable products. With around 40 million tons of petroleum-based plastics consumed in Europe every year, the company had the idea of producing a “bio-plastic” called “Mater-Bi”, made from corn and sunflowers seeds. The bio-plastic is completely recyclable, biodegradable and even compostable. This new product boasts a vast range of applications from bags and packaging to throw-away glasses.
Novamont has also collaborated with US multinational Goodyear to develop an “environmental” tyre that reduces road resistance by 40%. European investments of €675.000 helped to build Novamont's ultra-modern bio-refinery. The firm received the “European Inventor of the Year” award from the European Patent Office in 2007.
In Assisi, famous home of St Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order of monks, Danuta Hübner will see the restorations carried out following the earthquake of 1997 which caused considerable damage. Among others, the European Union helped to restore the Santa Chiara church (€1.5 million) and the historic Palazzo Vallemani (€834.000).
The Commissioner will also visit the high technology centre in Foligno (HTC) which specialises in advanced mechanics and has also benefitted from investment through the European Union Cohesion Policy.
Territorial Cooperation
Although Umbria, located at the heart of Italy, is not eligible for EU cross-border projects, it does not prevent the region from cooperating with the country’s neighbours though transnational programmes. Umbria is actively involved with eight other Member States in the “MED programme” which promotes partnerships in the Northern part of the Mediterranean and with 15 other countries in the “South East Europe programme”.
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