Data - Integrity Pacts – Civil Control Mechanism for Safeguarding EU Funds

Sicily has long been the setting of organised criminal activity and even today, socioeconomic factors and weak policies leave public funds susceptible to graft. But that's starting to change. In recent years, more than two dozen municipalities in the Madonie area have joined forces to enact stronger procurement safeguards.

21 municipalities joined a Union called “Unione Comuni Madonie” to share resources and public services. The Union is the contracting authority of a €39 million development project called “Madonie Resilienti: Laboratorio di Futuro” (Resilient Madonie: laboratory of the future), which is part of the National Strategy for Inner Areas (SNAI). With about one-quarter of the Italian population living in remote areas far from vital services, SNAI aims to develop education, health, and transport infrastructure in the countryside. Amapola is working with local authorities to implement an Integrity Pact and monitor public procurement procedures in two crucial development areas: energy efficiency and education.

Amapola is also carrying out awareness-raising activities targeting the local youth. Through a work-related learning project, students are involved in the monitoring of procurement processes and are provided with tools to become active citizens.