The Stati Generali dei Piccoli Comuni (States General of Small Municipalities) promoted by ANCI opened in Rome, at the “La Nuvola” Congress Centre, a moment of confrontation dedicated to the realities that represent 70% of Italian municipalities and 16% of the national population.
At the opening of the proceedings, the Secretary General of ANCI, Veronica Nicotra, he recalled that “There are approximately 5,600 small municipalities in our country, where 16% of the population live. These realities need more support, both technical and institutional”He emphasised how ANCI is working with even more commitment, determination and energy in favour of the smaller realities, of which there are many.
The President of ANCI Lazio opened the thematic workshop on the Budget, Daniele Sinibaldi, who presented the results of the “Piccoli” project and the prospects for strengthening local finance in smaller territories.
In his speech, Sinibaldi showed that the financial picture of small municipalities is positive on the whole: 94% has a balanced budget, which is higher than that of medium-sized, large municipalities and metropolitan areas. There is also significant growth in capital expenditure and investments, with an increase of +158% in the PNRR phase, during which small authorities distinguished themselves in terms of grounding and reporting capacity.
“These numbers - stressed Sinibaldi - show that small municipalities know how to administer with responsibility and efficiency. But behind the positive data remain structural difficulties that burden administrators and staff”.
The President remarked that the results achieved are often the result of the determination and self-sacrifice of the administrators and staff, who are called upon on a daily basis to respond to citizens in a relationship of proximity that requires rapid responses.
Sinibaldi then reiterated the need for new investments and an easing of constraints, especially budgetary ones, to reward demonstrated efficiency and allow municipalities to reinvest in personnel, administrative capacity and economic resources, particularly in deprived, rural and mountainous areas.
“Despite years of public spending cuts - he pointed out - Municipalities have proved to be the main articulation of the State in the territories, institutional sentinels even in the most complex moments, such as during the pandemic. Now is the time to bet even more on small municipalities”.
During the meeting, it was also emphasised how ANCI is evolving in its role, flanking its traditional function of institutional representation with strengthened technical and operational support. A real skin change that also concerns the regional ANCIs, which are increasingly committed to directly supporting the administrative capacity of local authorities.
The “Small” project will conclude with the drafting of a position paper that will formalise ANCI's position on these issues and priorities for the future.