Memo: Cross-border cooperation operational programme 2007-2013: Italy – Switzerland

On 20 December 2007, the European Commission approved the “cross-border cooperation operational programme: Italy – Switzerland” for Community assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the European Territorial Cooperation objective in Italy and Switzerland. The total cost of the programme is 92 million euros. The maximum contribution from the ERDF to the operational programme is 69 million euros, which represents around 0.8% of Community aid under the 'European Territorial Cooperation' objective.

In Italy, this programme covers the Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta, the region of Piedmont (the provinces of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Biella, Vercelli and Novara), the region of Lombardy (the provinces of Varese, Como, Lecce and Sondrio), the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and, as neighbouring areas, the provinces of Turin and Alessandria (Piedmont) and the provinces of Pavia, Milan, Bergamo and Brescia (Lombardy). In Switzerland, it covers the cantons of Valais, Ticin and Grisons.

The whole cooperation area is characterised firstly by an area of the Alpine mountains that is sparsely populated but endowed with an exceptional natural and environmental heritage, and secondly, by an area of lakes which, owing to its more low-lying character, acts as a link in its privileged position between the main axes of communication between the North and the South.

The 'Italy-Switzerland' programme covers an area of 61 000 km2, 38 000 of which are neighbouring areas located along the approximately 700-kilometre border. This area constitutes one of the external borders of the European Union (EU), representing a central and strategic position for Europe and, in relation to the areas of cross-border cooperation in the Mediterranean, the centre of Europe and the Alpine area.