Lipari and the impact of the European Social Fund

Abstract

This paper looks at the impact of one type of policy on the small economy of the island of Lipari in Italy. The European Social Fund provides for the financing of courses and training to upgrade the skills or provide new capabilities to people and institutions. The paper is based on a case study approach, through fieldwork conducted on the island in order to assess the impact such funding has on human and natural resources and utilizes an analytical tool developed by a team of island researchers (including the author) for a ESPON project. Results from the Lipari research shows that the ESF has had a significant positive impact on the island economy, but it would be more relevant if decisions regarding projects were actually taken by the islanders themselves rather than by the regional authorities in Sicily.