The notion of governance in the South Mediterranean regions: Evidences from EU policies, programmes, and research

In any policy, programme and research carried out in the South Mediterranean region, the word "governance" has assumed a very central role. In particular, the concept of multilevel governance has emerged, thanks to an extensive EU regional bodies empowerment. Regions are supposed to be the right level to address development issues, and to integrate the various competences, skills and resources that contributes to the overall "welfare" of a given area. Once endorsed as a model of governance by European and international institutions, multilevel governance has been promoted by EU local and regional authorities, also for developing Mediterranean networks and projects. In Europe the establishment of new relations between national authorities and so-called "sub-national" actors in the preparation, in the implementation but also in the evaluation of public policies and, more generally, collective actions has meant a more important policy-making role for territorial actors. On the contrary, International Organisations (World Bank, UNDP, OCSE) have used the concept as an ideological tool able to influence the reorganization of public authorities in both developed and developing countries, insisting on a top-down approach. The paper aims at evaluating the governance notion's consistency in the South Mediterranean regions, by comparing the theoretical models and approaches used in a number of case studies, and their effective results to empowering regional and local actors. In particular, it will analyse the establishment of the Union for the Mediterranean from the one side, and a diversity of specific networks, organisations and initiatives, established to improve the influence of local and regional Mediterranean authorities on the other side. Using a pattern matching analysis, the paper will evaluate a number of EU projects, funded by EC in the Mediterranean Policy Framework. Finally, conclusions will point out the main analysis results and provide research perspectives