As the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) draws to a close and competition for EU funding intensifies, the Italian Chamber system faces a decisive challenge: strengthening the expertise, partnerships and strategic vision needed to thrive in a new European funding landscape. Against this backdrop, Cantiere Europa, taking place in Pisa on 22–23 June, represents a timely and ambitious response to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead
Over recent years, Chambers of Commerce have navigated an unprecedented season of European and national investment. Yet the next chapter is likely to be markedly different. With cohesion resources stagnating in real terms and new competitive funds - for defence, strategic technologies and innovation - absorbing an ever-larger share of the next EU budget, funding will become more competitive, access more selective, and success increasingly dependent on the ability to design high-quality projects and forge strong international partnerships.
It is precisely with this future in mind that Pisa will host the first edition of Cantiere Europa, the national congress dedicated to European project development within the Italian Chamber network. Promoted by Unioncamere in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Tuscany North-West and Unioncamere Europa, the initiative has already generated remarkable interest across the system. With 85 participants already registered and registrations already closed, the event is shaping up to be one of the most significant gatherings of Chamber professionals working on European affairs and project development.
More than a technical conference, Cantiere Europa is conceived as a collective investment in the future. It acknowledges a reality that is becoming increasingly evident across Europe: the era of readily accessible resources has given way to one of heightened competition, where strategic positioning, specialised expertise and long-term planning are indispensable. At the same time, discussions surrounding the future EU budget and the evolution of Cohesion Policy are prompting territories and institutions alike to rethink their role within the European project.
Against this evolving backdrop, Cantiere Europa seeks to equip the Chamber system with the tools and capabilities needed to remain a proactive and influential player. Its central ambition is clear: to strengthen the capacity of Chambers to design, manage and lead successful European initiatives in a context where continuity, professionalism and collaboration will be more important than ever. Because better equipped Chambers ultimately mean more competitive SMEs, capable of accessing the opportunities that the next European funding cycle will offer.
The programme will feature a series of Working Groups focused on the key pillars of European project development, including partnership building, project design, access to EU funding programmes, skills development and networking among Chamber professionals. Alongside the Working Groups, a number of Chambers of Commerce will take the floor to share their experiences, offering first-hand insights into projects, partnerships and good practices that have helped strengthen their European engagement.
This exchange of knowledge may prove to be one of the event’s most valuable legacies. The future of European project development will depend not only on mastering procedures and funding rules, but also on the ability to learn from one another, share experiences and build models that can be replicated and adapted across territories. Italian Chambers have accumulated a wealth of expertise and successful project experiences over the years; bringing these together is an essential step towards creating a stronger, more connected and more resilient system.
Indeed, European project development is increasingly becoming a strategic function rather than a complementary activity. Success will require dedicated structures, specialised staff and the capacity to anticipate emerging European priorities. In an environment where competition for resources is set to intensify, the ability to cultivate lasting partnerships and maintain a constant presence within European networks will be critical.
The message of Cantiere Europa is therefore both simple and compelling: the future begins now. In the next European cycle, project development will no longer be an optional extra - it will be a defining element of the capacity of territories and institutions to innovate, compete and make their voices heard in Europe.
stefano.dessi@unioncamere-europa.eu