Rapid HIA to support decision making in the Public Administration in Italy THE Vispa PROJECT

Abstract

Since a decade HIA background and practice is growing up in Italy. The Ministry of Health endorsed the promotion and development of HIA practice funding the VISPA project to adapt HIA processes and tools in Public Administration (PA) activities and to prepare recommendations in view of national guideline. Methods/approaches. The feasibility of a rapid HIA protocol for plans and projects embedded in the PA decision-making process was tested involving 34 trained operators in six different Italian Regions. Twenty-eight casestudies regarding waste, city planning, energy, industrial districts and farms, were selected by a screening-scoping exercise. The developed toolkit supported the involved Public Officials during the phases of assessment, appraisal and reporting of results. Results. The proposed rapid HIA was always feasible with few exceptions. Positive outputs were achieved in terms of capacity building, identification of relevant subject, integration with other assessment tools. A final step-by-step procedure was validated and actors, tools and timing were identified. An audio-video guide was released to facilitate the use and transferability of the products. Conclusions. The experimental approach adopted highlighted a positive feedback. The burdensome of the application was recognised and critical issues appeared the citizen participation and the inter-departments cooperation