Lombardy’s Model of Governance. Empowering Communities and Society with the Freedom to Grow

In the past decade, the Italian parliament has devolved extensive powers and competences to the country’s twenty regions. The region of Lombardy, whose economic system is among the best performers in Europe and whose society is particularly active, has been the most decidedly resolute in experimenting and building up an original governance system. It has done so by interpreting its role as junction of local and global dynamics, and of inter-personal, social, and economic relations. Most of the regions’ legislative, political, and administrative strategic decisions have been moulded by a vision founded on particular values, above all the principle of subsidiarity. This has come to be known, in Italy and Europe, as “the Lombard model”. It has been the object of many researches, studies, and emulation. This paper illustrates the main features of this model: its political, juridical, and social contexts; its underlying principles; its main policy goals, actions, and instruments; and its perspectives and challenges.