In the current political landscape, Europe seems to play an increasingly decisive role in local development policies, especially in the southern regions of Italy, traditionally more vulnerable and less developed than the north. An emblematic example of this positive interaction between local authorities in the South and European bodies can be observed in Bari, where the mayor and president of the Anci, Antonio Decaro, highlighted the dynamics of this cooperation through the redevelopment of the former Manifattura dei tobacco.
The redevelopment project, which involves a significant transformation of one of the most fascinating historic buildings in Bari, is not only a symbol of urban renewal but also testimony to the European Union’s ability to have a concrete impact on local realities. The financing of approximately 26 million euros, coming from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), is intended to convert the former Manufacturing into an advanced headquarters for the National Research Council (CNR).
The design includes an intervention on an area of twenty thousand square meters which will include laboratories and offices to accommodate a significant number of researchers. No less important is the attention to the external areas, with over 2000 square meters of courtyards which will be arranged and enhanced with green areas and temporary structures useful for research, such as greenhouses and special warehouses.
The work of Decaro, who will end his second mandate at the beginning of June and is running for the next European elections with the Democratic Party, underlines the importance of a Europe that is not limited to funding but which becomes an active participant in local change, with a direct impact on the quality of life of citizens. The completion of the works, scheduled for 2026, is seen not only as the end of a building transformation but also as the start of a new phase of scientific and cultural development for the city of Bari and for Southern Italy in general.
This interaction between local needs and the possibilities offered by European funds can be interpreted as a virtuous model of how the European Union can act concretely in favor of less favored regions, promoting territorial equality and balanced development. It is an example of how local institutions, with visionary and proactive leadership, can translate opportunities into tangible and lasting realities that raise the standard of living and stimulate innovation.
In conclusion, Decaro’s commitment reflects a vision of Europe that is as necessary as it is effective: a Europe that assists, supports and invests in its territories with the aim of building a more cohesive and resilient community. And in this context, the transformation of the tobacco factory in Bari becomes a symbol of what the Union can achieve when it works in synergy with local authorities towards common objectives of progress and well-being.
