The current context of the PNRR
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) represented a unique opportunity for Italy to renew its infrastructure and promote economic growth. With an overall progress rate of 43% in the first half of 2024, the country achieved important goals, but not without difficulties. The Court of Auditors has highlighted that, although the European objectives have been achieved, there are still significant deviations compared
to the financial schedule.
Spending and funding: a detailed analysis
To date, total expenditure has exceeded 57.7 billion euros, corresponding to 30% of the total resources of the PNRR. However, the financial progress of the specific reforms has been disappointing, with only 4% of dedicated resources actually spent. This scenario raises questions about the ability of administrations to effectively manage and report expenses. The deadline for approving the reports was around three months, a factor that could negatively influence the liquidity necessary for the continuation of the projects
.
Projects under implementation and delays
Currently, about 77% of projects are under execution, but 20% of them have significant delays. The territorial distribution of the projects shows a predominance of the Southern Regions, but funding is more concentrated in the North. This imbalance could aggravate the existing infrastructure gap. In addition, the construction sector has received particular attention, with resources aimed at improving the quality of housing, but many projects have already shown implementation difficulties, with delays concentrated in the preliminary
phases.
Future Perspectives and Challenges to Face
Looking to the future, the PNRR foresees significant measures for the modernization of energy infrastructure, but the degree of progress is still low. The resources allocated to these projects must be carefully managed to ensure that the objectives are achieved within the established deadlines. The Court of Auditors has warned that the increase in reporting could lengthen verification times, making it necessary to review the control processes to avoid further delays
.