In recent years, the Development Contract (CdS) It has consolidated itself as one of the key instruments of industrial policy in Italy, capable of supporting complex and large-scale investment programs. Between 2014 and 2025, this measure has activated approximately 10 billion euros of resources, with the aim of achieving the 15 billion overall thanks to the new allocations from the PNRR and the budget law.
For businesses, and in particular for SMEs participating in supply chain projects, access to these funds is not just a financial issue, but a challenge that requires a multidisciplinary approach. In this scenario, the role of lawyers is to coordinate the standard contractual arrangements with the stringent regulatory requirements necessary to obtain and maintain the benefits.
According to the lawyer. Claudio Bonora Managing these instruments presents unique challenges, especially when the investment involves multiple companies to meet the minimum required thresholds.
The "puzzle" of contractual clauses
Lawyer Bonora underlines how the technical complexity is directly reflected in the law: in fact, the contracts present suspension and termination clauses which must be calibrated with extreme precision so that they fit together into a coherent "puzzle." This is essential to ensure stability throughout the supply chain:
- Suppliers: They need the certainty of selling the machinery they produce before purchasing the materials needed to produce it.
- Clients: They do not proceed with the investment without reasonable certainty of obtaining the expected contributions.
- Executing companies: They require flexibility to handle unforeseen events during the construction or testing of the works.
Operations and areas of intervention
Despite the importance of the tool, Attorney Bonora observes that the number of activated contracts still appears limited and that recent regulatory changes have not required changes to the organizational structure of its firm. The firm is currently supporting significant investments in industrial machinery and projects related to clean energy, processes which are still ongoing.
Coordination with technicians
A key point highlighted by the lawyer is that legal advice cannot be isolated. Contracts must necessarily make use of the contribution of specialized technicians and agencies who assist companies in obtaining public funding. Often, the lawyer's role involves coordinating with industry partners with whom companies already have established relationships.
