Innovation in the territorial impact assessment: an application to large infrastructure projects of the Italian recovery and resilience facility

The Territorial Impact Assessment (TIA) has evolved significantly over the past two decades, becoming a pivotal tool in shaping European public policy. Initially, TIA aimed to tailor investments to the specific needs of various territories, ensuring allignement with broader EU and national objectives. The assessment of European Cohesion Policy 2014–20 highligthed the TIA’s utility in guiding sustainable development decisions. The integration of TIA into the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) marks a notable shift, emphasising sustainability in policy planning and the allocation of funds. This paper outlined how TIA can be embedded within the RRF’s planning and evaluation mechanisms, using Italian large infrastructure projects as an example. The incorporation of TIA into a multifaceted evaluation framework, which encompasses both economic-financial and sustainability considerations utilising the Sustainable Environmental/Economic Management Approach (STeMA) model, demonstrates its effective integration. This approach balances economic viability with environmental and social sustainability aligning with the EU Green Deal pillars and the Territorial Agenda 2030. It also ensures adherence to economic and financial considerations coming from cost-benefit analysis, while also upholding sustainability under the ‘do no significant harm’ principle. This match thus could foster a more resilient and sustainable future for EU territories.