In 1998, Eni and the local authorities of the Basilicata region signed an agreement for the exploitation of the oil and gas fields of Val d’Agri and Val Camastra, the largest production sites in Italy. Under this agreement, Eni committed to opening a FEEM branch in the area that would contribute to the economic and social development of the Basilicata region in cooperation with private and public local institutions.
In early 2008, FEEM opened a branch office in Viggiano, a town located in the heart of Val d’Agri in proximity to the oil deposit facility owned and managed by Eni. FEEM’s mission in Basilicata is the transfer of knowledge and skills and the promotion of advanced training to create a qualified research centre for sustainable development in the South of Italy. The mission is ambitious but its success would produce far-reaching consequences. Human capital and innovation are key drivers of economic development, and by leveraging on the existing networks and skills, FEEM aims at fostering a process of local endogenous growth.
In this initial year, the activities have been carried out in close cooperation with local institutions and organizations, and have been focused on three main areas: (i) research, (ii) advanced training and education, and (iii) support to policy.
Research efforts have been directed to the study of sustainable tourism as an opportunity for local development and to the analysis of the impacts of renewable energy and investment on energy efficiency in the Basilicata region.
FEEM also cooperates with local universities and institutions to foster education, training, and human capital development at various levels, by sponsoring Ph.D. grants in the field of environmental monitoring and industrial and innovation engineering at the University of Basilicata, and encouraging the involvement of graduate students in FEEM research projects.
In 2008 FEEM launched several initiatives for the dissemination of scientific knowledge among citizens and schools of all grades, and organized events and seminars for the local community and training courses targeted to tourism guides and scientific communication experts. FEEM also opened a multimedia library in Viggiano as a contribution to overcome the digital divide in the area, by giving free access to PCs and the internet, and organizing a wide range of computer courses. In a few months of activity more than 250 computer/hours were provided, involving an increasing number of young people (120 subscribers).
FEEM has supported several local institutions: the townships of Val d’Agri and Val Camastra in the promotion of the territory through communication activities; the Azienda di Promozione del Territorio in the creation of the Parco dell’Energia; ENEA and the Basilicata Region in the establishment of the Scuola Mediterranea sulle Energie; and finally the Società Energetica Lucana (SEL), by providing scientific support in the area of energy efficiency.
