91997E3747

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3747/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (21 November 1997)

Subject: Urban pilot projects

The information agency of the AICCRE (the Italian Association for the Council of European Local and Regional Authorities), called Europea Regioni, reports (internal note No 30 of 19 September 1997) a comment concerning the urban pilot projects for the economic and social development of disadvantaged urban districts. As everyone knows, these projects form part of the innovative measures envisaged under Article 10 of the ERDF. According to the note, the Commission has received more than 500 aplications in this connection, out of which 26 urban pilot projects have been selected, including, for Italy, those proposed by the cities of Turin, Naples, Brindisi and Milan.

Can the Commission say:

1. whether other Italian cities, in particular Rome, have submitted applications for funding;

2. if so, why they were excluded?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (19 December 1997)

Out of a total of 503 projects presented to the Commission following its call for proposals for urban pilot projects ((OJ C 319, 30.11.1995. )) under Article 10 of the Regulation concerning the European regional development fund ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993. )), 119 were submitted by Italian cities, including 3 from organisations in Rome. This high level of interest from Italy was reflected in the approval of 4 Italian cities out of the 26 selected for the Community as a whole.

The assessment of all the projects was undertaken with detailed care and rigour, with assistance from external experts. The evaluation process sought to ensure that all projects were fairly assessed. The emphasis throughout was based on the criteria outlined in the call for proposals:

- that the cities face problems common to a number of cities;

- that the proposals are innovative and have a demonstrative character;

- that there is a strong partnership between the public sector and other socio-economic partners;

- that the actions proposed would have a positive employment impact.

With such a high response, it is not possible to give details for specific cities but, within the budgetary constraints, only the very best projects could be selected.