COPE, Consorzio Punto Europa, today represents an innovative and strategic reality for the socio-economic development of Abruzzo, acting as a direct bridge between the territory and the European institutions. It is a virtuous model of governance and planning that has received numerous awards, including one from Panorama magazine, which included COPE among the 18 best Italian companies of the last year, testifying to the concrete impact and excellence achieved.
Founded in 2008 as a non-profit, public-partnership consortium, over the years COPE has gained consolidated experience in the design and management of EU-funded programmes. “In recent years, thanks to intense restructuring and relaunch work, COPE has completely wiped out debts and financial difficulties inherited from the current administration in 2020, steadily increasing membership, turnover and profits,” says Filippo Lucci, the company’s Sole Director. “The numbers tell of a growth in annual turnover of more than 40%, with a total value of candidate projects now exceeding EUR 200 million. Today, the Consortium supports more than 100 public administrations and works with partners of international relevance, demonstrating a unique ability to create institutional and technical synergies. Its members include such important institutions as the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, the University of Teramo, the Province of Teramo, the Municipality of Teramo and numerous public authorities in the Abruzzo region”.
COPE does not only support local authorities in planning and administrative and financial management, but also plays an active institutional role, often acting as lead partner in strategic European projects. Examples are the Interreg Italy-Croatia Firespill, a EUR 16 million initiative focused on the management of environmental emergencies, and Adripromtour, a project aimed at enhancing cultural heritage through innovative technologies such as augmented and virtual reality.
“Another central aspect of COPE’s activity is represented by Europe Direct Abruzzo, the official information desk of the European Commission, through which the Consortium disseminates information and organises training and guidance on European policies,” explains Lucci. “Europe Direct Abruzzo enables greater participation of citizenship in European democratic life, actively promoting the integration of supranational dynamics, knowledge of the EU institutions and fostering dialogue between the territories and Brussels. In this sense, COPE is a direct channel for citizens, businesses and public administrations, facilitating effective and continuous communication with international partners”.
The Consortium is also engaged in urban regeneration, environmental sustainability and social development through projects funded by the PNRR and other European and national investment lines. Among its many initiatives are: technical assistance to the II and V Inner Areas of the Abruzzo Region and to the Functional Urban Area of the Province of Teramo; the awarding of tenders for the creation and management of energy communities; and support to the Teramo Local Health Authority for the mobile proximity clinics project in the Inner Areas, which guarantees essential health services to over 13,000 citizens. Moreover, COPE’s partnership network includes important collaborations with prestigious universities such as La Sapienza in Rome and the Politecnico in Bari, thus developing an interdisciplinary approach that combines scientific research and sustainable innovation.
The Punto Europa Consortium represents a model of best practice to be exported beyond the Abruzzi’s borders, an example of how the ability to combine strategic vision, technical efficiency and constant and fruitful dialogue with Europe can open up great opportunities for the future and enable Italy to recover a historical gap on the most effective use of European funds. We need a player like COPE in every Italian region.
