The PNRR is not only a match between Rome and Brussels, but it is also a race between the Italian regions to transform the billions of euros allocated into new works and better services.
Regarding the PNRR, the geography of expenditure says a lot about local administrative skills, political priorities and design readiness. And not all regions travel at the same speed. The following data are taken from the latest monitoring of the national recovery and resilience plan.
PNRR, regions on the podium
In absolute values, the first three shopping regions are Lombardy, Campania and Veneto.
Lombardy spent 17 billion euros for 44,533 projects. The economic locomotive of Italy confirms the primacy also in the management of the PNRR. Milan and its metropolitan area train on sustainable mobility, digitization and health interventions, but also the small Lombard municipalities have intercepted funds for schools, sports facilities and urban regeneration.
Campania spent 13.03 billion for 26,535 projects. The region is the South engine in absolute terms. The big cities (Naples, Salerno, Caserta) absorb resources for urban transport and redevelopment, but the water works and the safety of the territory also have an important weight.
Veneto spent 11.77 billion for 26,793 projects. The Region has focused on schools, local transport and digitization of the public administration. Venice and Verona catalyzes interventions of national importance.
The regions that “chase” on the PNRR
Lazio spent 11.66 billion for 21,462 projects. The Region has benefited from a strong concentration of infrastructure projects, digitization and interventions in healthcare. Roma Capitale, thanks to quick calls and already started construction sites, has given a significant push.
Sicily spent 11.27 billion for 22,462 projects. The data is remarkable considering the historical logistical and bureaucratic difficulties of the island. Many funds have been engaged in water infrastructures, ports and in urban regeneration interventions in the average centers.
Emilia-Romagna spent 9.9 billion for 22,334 projects. The region has spent a lot for safety in the area (post-high), health and sustainable mobility. Bologna is a central hub for digital and innovation projects.
PNRR, “Mezzo” regions
Piedmont spent 9.6 billion for 24,076 projects, especially for investments in railways, urban regeneration and research. Turin leads the projects related to green mobility and industrial areas in conversion.
Puglia spent 9.43 billion for 19,601 projects. Despite less projects compared to similar regions by population, Puglia has channeled many funds on water infrastructures, renewable energy and tourist enhancement.
Tuscany spent 6.98 billion for 17,244 projects. The interventions mainly concern schools, hospitals and urban regeneration. Florence and Pisa protagonists in the missions of culture and research.
Calabria spent 6.25 billion for 13,059 projects: among the regions with multiple infrastructure gaps, Calabria focuses on roads, water networks and interventions in small municipalities. The progress is significant in relation to the starting administrative capacity.
Liguria spent 5.1 billion for 5,682 projects. Genoa catalyzes resources for ports, mobility and urban redevelopment. Relatively few projects but of great economic value.
Sardinia spent 4.57 billion for 10,118 projects, from the energy transition to the efficiency of public buildings, to water works. Territorial dispersion remains a challenge for implementation.
The brands spent 3.34 billion for 8,242 projects. Many interventions on schools, territorial health and internal roads. The Region is focusing on capillary projects in medium and small centers.
Abruzzo spent 3.3 billion for 8,693 projects. Funds focused on anti -seismic safety, road infrastructures and urban regeneration.
The latest in the ranking
Friuli-Venezia Giulia spent 2.44 billion for 6,180 projects, focusing on cross-border mobility, ports and administrative digitization.
Trentino -Alto Adige spent 2.38 billion for 9,546 projects. Good distribution between schools, hospitals and alpine infrastructures, with attention to environmental sustainability.
Basilicata spent 2.29 billion for 5,192 projects. Many interventions on water networks and urban regeneration in small municipalities, but the expense capacity remains limited.
Umbria spent 2.29 billion for 4,990 projects. Resources used largely for schools, hospitals and culture, with projects widespread in internal areas.
Molise spent 1.87 billion for 3,255 projects. The region is small, but with several interventions on road and school infrastructures. They remain margins of acceleration.
The Aosta Valley spent 0.59 billion for 1,017 projects. The smallest for population and resources, with targeted interventions on health, schools and mountain roads.
The ranking of the regions that spent more money than PNRR
At national level, 298,619 projects for a total expenditure of 145.7 billion euros were carried out as part of the PNRR.
Below the ranking of the regions that spent more:
1. Lombardy – 17 billion for 44,533 projects;
2. Campania – 13.03 billion for 26,535 projects;
3. Veneto – 11.77 billion for 26,793 projects;
4. Lazio – 11.66 billion for 21,462 projects;
5. Sicily – 11.27 billion for 22,462 projects;
6. Emilia-Romagna-9.9 billion for 22,334 projects;
7. Piedmont – 9.6 billion for 24,076 projects;
8. Puglia – 9.43 billion for 19,601 projects;
9. Tuscany – 6.98 billion for 17,244 projects;
10. Calabria – 6.25 billion for 13,059 projects;
11. Liguria – 5.1 billion for 5,682 projects;
12. Sardinia – 4.57 billion for 10,118 projects;
13. Marche – 3.34 billion for 8,242 projects;
14. Abruzzo – 3.3 billion for 8,693 projects;
15. Friuli-Venezia Giulia-2.44 billion for 6,180 projects;
16. Trentino – Alto Adige – 2.38 billion for 9,546 projects;
17. Basilicata – 2.29 billion for 5,192 projects;
18. Umbria – 2.29 billion for 4,990 projects;
19. Molise – 1.87 billion for 3,255 projects;
20. Valle d’Aosta – 0.59 billion for 1,017 projects.
PNRR and risk risk of final rush on goals and objectives
The problem, underline the technicians of the Court of Auditors, is that the race is far from over. Over 60% of the funds intended for the regions has yet to be spent by June 2026.
As we read in the relationship,
From the start of the implementation of the PNRR, a total of 374 goals and objectives have been achieved. Therefore, 240 goals and objectives foreseen in the last two semesters remain to be achieved, of which 177 are related to the last semester expiring June 30, 2026.
