Vienna – “Veneto ranks first in Italy both for the number of funded Interreg projects, with 238 initiatives, and for the number of participating partners, with 177. We have secured €59.8 million in European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding, rising to €70.4 million when national public co-financing from the National Revolving Fund and private contributions are included. This result rewards our territories’ ability to compete in Europe: under Interreg programmes, funding is not allocated to regions in advance but must be secured through high-quality projects and strong partnerships.” Marco Zecchinato, Veneto regional councillor for interregional cooperation, was commenting on the findings of the 2025 Summary Report on Italy’s participation in the European Territorial Cooperation Programmes, NEXT and IPA III 2021–2027, prepared by the Department for Cohesion Policies of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. “With 238 funded projects, Veneto ranks ahead of Friuli Venezia Giulia, with 193 initiatives, Apulia, with 173, Piedmont, with 159, and Emilia-Romagna, with 149,” Zecchinato explains. “The 177 partners from Veneto, including lead partners and project partners, account for 11.57% of the national total, the highest share among Italy’s regions. The €59.8 million in ERDF funding represents 10.58% of the resources allocated to Italian beneficiaries under Interreg programmes.” “Veneto also stands out for its ability to secure funding across all the main areas of cohesion policy,” Zecchinato adds. “With €29.8 million, Veneto ranks first in Italy for funding secured for the transition towards a greener Europe, including the environment, energy and sustainability. This is followed by innovation and competitiveness, with €17.27 million; measures for a more social and inclusive Europe, with €12.20 million; strengthening cooperation, with €6.02 million; mobility and transport, with €3.58 million; and community-led local development (CLLD) initiatives under the Italy-Austria programme, with €1.54 million.” “Veneto’s participation extends from the Adriatic to the Alps and reaches into Central Europe and the Mediterranean,” the councillor says. “Under the cross-border Italy-Croatia, Italy-Austria and Italy-Slovenia programmes, regional partners work together on issues including the blue economy, environmental protection, sustainable tourism, innovation, climate change and biodiversity. “Cooperation also takes place at transnational and interregional level through the Alpine Space, Central Europe, Euro-MED, IPA-Adrion, Interreg Europe, URBACT and ESPON 2030 programmes.” At provincial level, Venice ranks second in Italy for allocated ERDF funding, with €30.34 million, partly thanks to its distinctive geographical position. (9colonne)