ANCI Lazio participated in the Digital Italy Summit 2025, bringing to the centre of the national debate the voice of the Lazio municipalities and the growing difficulties of the territories in facing the digital transformation of the Public Administration.
During the session dedicated to territories, the President Daniele Sinibaldi pointed out how local authorities, despite being the first presidium of the state vis-à-vis citizens, continue to operate in very fragile conditions.
“For 30 years, municipalities have been the main recipients of public spending cuts, but they remain the place where the state's ability to function is really measured. Innovation is only possible if territories are guaranteed stable, continuous, professional support”said Sinibaldi.
The municipalities of Lazio: a system under pressure
In his speech, the President recalled how the majority of municipalities in Lazio - especially those with less than 5,000 inhabitants - have small staffs and limited technical resources, making it complex to adopt digital tools and adapt to new regulations.
“With an average of 10-12 employees per entity and one of the lowest contracts in the PA, we ask municipalities to work miracles. For this we need accompaniment, skills and a real support network”stressed Sinibaldi.
The work of ANCI Lazio: Project Piccoli and Project Soleil
The two paths that ANCI Lazio is pursuing to support innovation in the territories were presented during the Summit:
Small Project
A programme offering technical assistance, training and digital tools to smaller municipalities in Lazio, with a focus on the use of artificial intelligence in administrative procedures, documentation management and accessibility of services.
Project Soleil
An initiative coordinated by the Ministry of Labour and dedicated to services for migrants, which aims to bridge the digital divide through territorial counters for guidance, language support and accompaniment in the use of public platforms.
“Digital innovation and social innovation must go hand in hand. We cannot build advanced services if a part of the population - or municipalities - is left behind”added Sinibaldi.
Modernisation of PA goes through municipalities
During the plenary sessions, the Summit delved into the role of territories in the modernisation of the country, from the digitisation envisaged by the PNRR to the transition towards an increasingly AI and data-driven.
“Municipalities are the citizens' gateway to the state. If we do not strengthen the territories, the modernisation of the PA remains an objective written on paper”concluded Sinibaldi.