The project presentation in Udine on 14 October. Local administrations can now express their interest in participating.

Future European programming will require territories to increasingly develop shared strategies, identify development priorities and transform local needs into mature, fundable projects. To help administrations prepare for this challenge, Informest, in collaboration with ComPA FVG, is promoting the pilot project “Designing the Future. Building Today the Strategies to Access Tomorrow’s European Opportunities.”

The initiative aims to support local authorities in defining integrated territorial development pathways in view of the opportunities offered by the next European Union Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034.

The project will be presented on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in the Pasolini Hall of the Regional Government Building, Via Sabbadini 31, Udine. The event is intended for mayors, administrators and representatives of local authorities and will focus on territorial programming prospects and participation in the pilot project.

During the event, the objectives, methodology and various phases of the initiative will be presented, together with the process leading to the selection of two pilot territories. The selected areas will be supported by Informest and ComPA FVG experts through an integrated large-area planning process aimed at strengthening access to future European opportunities.

The initiative seeks to overcome fragmented and reactive approaches to funding opportunities by promoting anticipatory, multidisciplinary planning based on a medium- to long-term perspective. The goal is to enter the new European cycle with shared territorial strategies, clearly defined priorities and a portfolio of concrete, fundable projects.

Expressions of Interest Now Open

At the same time, Informest and ComPA FVG are inviting local administrations to express their interest in participating in the “Large Areas” project. Through the expression of interest mechanism, administrations may indicate their willingness to promote a shared territorial process involving other authorities and local stakeholders in the development of an integrated large-area strategy.

The objective is to identify territories willing to work together to define a development vision, establish strategic priorities and build a project portfolio capable of effectively capturing the opportunities of the 2028-2034 European programming period.

A Discussion Forum Reserved for Local Authorities

The meeting has been designed as an operational event dedicated to the local government system. Participation is therefore restricted to administrators and representatives of local authorities, fostering direct discussion on territorial needs, potential large-area aggregations and the conditions required to develop shared strategic projects.

The morning session will include institutional speeches, presentation of the pilot project and a debate with mayors and administrators, during which needs, priorities and proposals from different territories may emerge.

Programme

10:00 a.m. – Institutional Introduction

• Barbara Zilli, Regional Councillor for Finance
• Pierpaolo Roberti, Regional Councillor for Local Authorities, Public Administration, Security and Immigration

10:30 a.m. – Institutional Greetings

• Davide Lepori, President of Informest
• Rodolfo Ziberna, President of ComPA FVG

10:45 a.m. – Introduction

• Daniele Gortan, Director of ComPA FVG and event moderator

11:00 a.m. – Presentation of the Pilot Project

• Graziano Lorenzon, Director of Informest

Presentation Topics

• Challenges of future European programming
• Why territories need a shared development strategy
• Tools to transform local needs and priorities into fundable projects
• Objectives, methodology and phases of the pilot project
• Participation procedures and benefits for administrations

11:30 a.m. – Debate with Mayors and Administrators

• Questions and answers
• Discussion of territorial needs
• Collection of expressions of interest

11:50 a.m. – Closing Remarks

• Daniele Gortan

12:00 p.m. – End of the Event