Operations of Strategic Importance 2021-2027

OSI are considered the most representative projects of the programmes, embodying their main objectives. Managing Authorities must ensure greater visibility of EU support, capitalising on the communication potential of the flagship projects supported by the programmes. Therefore, communication of Operations of Strategic Importance aims to represent the history of the programme in a symbolic way and to give citizens a better understanding of the results of the policies. Greater visibility of projects also provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of the EU in people's lives.

In the Lombardy Region, two OSI have been identified for the 2021-2027 ERDF Regional Programme and the 2021-2027 ESF+ Regional Programme:
- the Youth Forum;
- Sustainable Urban Development Strategies (SUDs).

The Youth Forum

The Youth Forum, established in 2022, is the privileged venue for listening to, proposing and evaluating the Lombardy Region's policies and initiatives for young people. It is an important tool that allows under-35s and institutions to exchange views and build closer ties.

The Youth Forum is composed of representatives from organisations, educational institutions, local authorities, voluntary associations and, more generally, people under 35 who want to contribute to the policies and initiatives of the Lombardy Region. The Forum is established at the beginning of each new legislative term and its members leave office at the end of that term, meeting regularly to formulate proposals and opinions on regional activities dedicated to young people in Lombardy.

As part of Priority 4 Youth Employment of the ESF+ RP 2021-2027, in implementation of the new law 'La Lombardia è dei giovani' (Lombardy belongs to young people) (Regional Law No. 4 of 2022), the project aims to consolidate and strengthen the action of the Regional Forum as a privileged forum for listening, discussion and proposals between the regional institution and youth representatives. The Forum's activities will enable the planning of innovative and cross-cutting interventions through context analysis and information gathering, as well as the stimulation of growth and personal responsibility in a community context. The financial allocation for this operation is € 1.400.000,00 under Priority 4 Youth Employment - Action a.4 Support for youth employment of the ESF+ 2021-2027 RP and represents an operation of strategic importance for the programme.

Full details can be found on the following page (IT): Lombardy Region Youth Forum.

Sustainable Urban Development Strategies

Sustainable Urban Development Strategies are funded by the ERDF and ESF+ Regional Programmes for the 2021-2027 European programming period and concentrate resources on addressing inequality in urban areas by supporting the implementation of specific operations. SUDs are implemented in provincial capitals or municipalities with a population of over 50.000 in the Lombardy Region.

The strategic objective of the programme is the sustainable regeneration of urban areas which, by focusing on housing, schools and the quality of social and health services, aim to increase the social inclusion of the most vulnerable populations (in terms of age, gender and vulnerability), reducing material and immaterial inequalities and placing local communities at the centre.

The interventions are characterised by material actions, in public spaces, on buildings and on the provision of services, and immaterial interventions, through the involvement of local communities, the promotion of the urban economy and the strengthening of skills. For the 2021-2027 European programming period, 14 agreements have been signed between the Lombardy Region and the 14 selected municipalities, thus launching the implementation phase of the Strategies and the allocation of the designated funds (for administrative documents, click here).

The details of each Strategy and their progress can be viewed in the following cards (EN).