The PNRR Lab presents new data and solutions for accelerating projects, streamlining processes and hitting EU targets

On February 23, an important meeting was held at SDA Bocconi Campus in Rome between representatives of the business community and the Italian government to discuss the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The team from the PNRR Lab, SDA Bocconi laboratory that analyzes productivity dynamics and challenges of competitiveness related to the implementation of the Plan, presented data, analysis and proposals aimed at improving efficiency, simplifying procedures and creating public-private partnerships.

The event, which was attended by Minister Fitto and Renato Brunetta, former Minister of PA, was an opportunity to share ideas, points of view and to find joint solutions to the challenges the country is facing. Participants included directors and top management from major groups such as Intesa Sanpaolo, Enel Group, Adecco, Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato, and Snam.

As photographed in the talk by Carlo Altomonte, Associate Dean for Stakeholder Engagement Programs SDA Bocconi, PNRR is the public investment and structural reform plan for Italy. It is mainly financed by the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility and is structured around six main pillars: ecological transition, innovation, infrastructure, training and research, social inclusion and health. Its success will depend greatly on the joint commitment of institutions, businesses and civil society as well as the ability to implement the necessary structural reforms.

Veronica Vecchi, Professor of Practice of Business Government Relations SDA Bocconi, placed the focus on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) and the role it can and should play in speeding up projects related to the PNRR and reducing the risk of non-tender. There are some caveats: we cannot expect to use PPP on a merely contingent basis to spend over time, but we need quality and, above all, we need a new league of investment leaders: a managerial class capable of guiding public projects through a shared strategic design and with a specific skill set.

On the other hand, Giovanni Valotti, Full Professor in Public Management at Bocconi University and Department of Government, Health and Not for Profit Liaison Officer SDA Bocconi, focused on the new Simplification Decree, which includes key measures aimed at further reducing time frames and simplifying authorization processes by reviewing the perimeter of some key players (MICs and Superintendencies). The Decree also provides for the strengthening of substitutive powers in case of delays and greater accountability of the Proceeding Authorities.

The analysis carried out by the PNRR Lab and presented by Professor Valotti also revealed the need to bolster empowerment at local level, to provide for greater digitization in issuing permits, to encourage further regulatory actions on repowering, and the introduction of effective peremptory deadlines with explicit references to the administrative consequences associated with not meeting these deadlines.

SDA Bocconi School of Management