The four main articles deal with the EU proposals for the Structural Funds for 2007-2013; the use of Structural Funds in the Italian cultural heritage sector with a view to local development through cultural tourism; the recent experience of the Italian Ministry of culture with the application of Structural Funds guidelines in cultural programming and funding; and the coordination between central and regional administrations in the distribution of Structural Funds for cultural projects at local level.

Of special interest among the remaining articles is the comparative analysis by Bonini Baraldi of the museum sectors in France and in Italy.