The Network delves into the problems connected with the environmental component of the sectors covered by the Structural Funds through the setting up of specific Working Groups.

The Groups are broken down into Working Groups (WG) and Topical Working Groups, (TWG) which deal with methodological and sectoral themes, respectively. They have a definite make up and an explicit yearly mandate that identifies objectives, time schedules and anticipated products. All the representatives of the institutions involved participate in the work on a voluntary basis.

The Groups communicate the outcome of their investigations on the occasion of the plenary meetings of the Network that, subject to approval, submits them to the Supervisory Committee of the Community Support Framework (CSF).

Nine Working Groups are currently operational:

• Water
• Reclamation of polluted sites
• Energy
• Environmental monitoring
• Ecological Network
• Firms and environment in RAITA
• Wastes
• Polluter pays principle
• Rural development.

In 2006, the activity of the Network is going to become more flexible in order to contribute to the determination of the strategies for the forthcoming (the following link opens an external site)2007-2013 programming cycle.

The starting point is represented by the financial implementation data of the CSF and the Single Programming Documents, which outline a situation extremely diversified by territorial areas and sectors.

The operations of the Network Working Groups are based on the principles of:

• continuity - in the analysis and in-depth review of the CSF sectors addressing the environment
• flexibility - to take into account the evolution of the EU and national legislation and the sectoral programming
• inter-institutional cooperation - having also recourse to participation models and instruments that are likely to promote the greatest possible involvement of the responsible institutions
• integration between environmental objectives and policies - with a view to determining a course that may succeed in overcoming, however gradually, the sectoral approach to the environmental issues.

The Network is also entrusted with the task of disseminating best practices in the environmental field. Cases of excellence are reported by the Regions and communicated in the plenary meetings.

The Network carries out studies and investigations that contribute to the analysis of the context and often turn into the starting point for further in-depth studies by the Working Groups.