The project aims to support the Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) Autonomous Region, Italy, and the Veneto Region, Italy in enhancing their strategy on international partnership and co-operation (IPC). New global trends call for a rethinking of IPC. This should aim to maximise impacts on all local communities involved, moving from a one-way to a mutual approach. 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can provide useful guidance in setting priorities and the direction of IPC. Outdated policy frameworks and skills shortages may hamper such an effort. Therefore, the project will provide a comprehensive assessment of the regional strategy on IPC and a capacity-building plan for local practitioners.

Implementation period: 2022-2023 

What's the issue?

In recent years, international development co-operation has been shifting from a donor-recipient to a partnership-driven approach. Subnational governments have gained recognition as legitimate actors of the international development system. There is a growing awareness among regional policy makers that engaging in IPC can bring reputational, political and economic returns.

Competition from emerging economies dealt local businesses a severe blow, putting a strain on regional budget. New social, economic and environmental challenges add further pressure. However, as megatrends have pervasive effects worldwide, establishing international partnerships is gaining momentum. Solutions designed elsewhere can benefit local communities. Knowledge transfer has never been easier, and so has the creation of global networks.

As developing countries gained prominence at the global level, multiple regions and cities have engaged in local-to-local co-operation, often with mixed results. The OECD has a sound record in supporting policy enhancement in this field. Providing evidence-based advice and a peer-learning forum for policy practitioners is a crucial part of this effort. Well-designed IPC strategies can help places leverage on complementarities with partners and maximise returns to local communities, including in fields such as business and trade. 

What can the OECD offer?

The OECD Trento Centre for Local Development will carry out the project in close collaboration with CFE’s unit that champions OECD work on decentralised development co-operation and sustainable development.

FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA, ITALY

By joining the project, Friuli-Venezia Giulia benefitted from:

• A crosscutting assessment of the regional strategy on IPC, including governance, financing and accountability issues, based on multiple sources (i.e. administrative sources, and a web-based survey among as well as interviews and focus groups with local practitioners);
• Actionable policy recommendations on enhancing the regional strategy on IPC;
• Capacity-building seminars to strengthen IPC practitioners’ skillsets based on an assessment of local needs;
• Strategic advice on how to improve public communication and raise awareness of the results of the regional strategy on IPC

Agenda webinar 18 May 2023

Agenda & final report presentation 4 October 2023 (Italian only)

FINAL REPORT

Enhancing International Partnership and Co-operation in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a small region in north-eastern Italy with extensive policy autonomy, has been active in international co-operation and is seeking to get more out of its actions both for the region and with its co-operation partners around the world. Available also in Italian

VENETO, ITALY

By joining the project, Veneto will benefit from:

• Support in assessing the strengths and weakness of the regional IPC strategy, as well as in identifying the external opportunities and threats to its enhancement;
• The opportunity to learn about IPC trends and policies in other OECD countries and regions through two international workshops;
• A report taking stock of the above analysis and policy dialogue to provide policy recommendations for an enhancement of the regional IPC strategy.

Agenda workshop 24 March 2023 (Italian only)

Contact

For more information, pelase contact [email protected].