In a global framework characterized by a high degree of institutional complexity, the relationship among the different "spheres" of government at international, European, national, regional and local level is particularly difficult to be successfully managed. This trend towards a multi-sphere structure of vertical division of powers is intended to be reflected in the Institute's acronym "SFeRe" for Studies on Federalism and Regionalism.

The Institute's activities focus mainly on the scientific analyses of these processes also in order to suggest solutions for a better administration of the institutional pluralism.
The main Institute's activities are:

• Federalism and Regionalism: publication of research results in form of  books, monographs, papers, articles and conference proceedings. Thus, the Institute organizes also conferences and seminars for the scientific and political community, as well as the general public, on problems and solutions regarding institutional pluralism.

• Federalism and Regionalism: how to handle? The Institute aims at studying regional policies in a comparative perspective in order to single out best practices of good government for decentralized policies. The intent of this activity is therefore to deeply understand the institutional complexity, find practical solutions and offer consulting services.  

• Federalism and Regionalism: an instrument for solution of ethnic conflicts; how can specific arrangements of territorial structures help to solve ethnic conflicts? The Institute's projects combine classical federal studies with a (identity and territorial) diversity - management approach. Thereby, the Institute collaborates strongly with the Institute for Minority Rights.

• Federalism and Regionalism: the case of South Tyrol
A good example of combination of all these elements is the autonomous province of South Tyrol. The location within this province gives the Institute the possibility to be a privileged observer of the special autonomy, becoming a centre of expertise on questions such as asymmetry and good governance.

Some projects are:

• European and Diversity Autonomy Papers (EDAP)
• Handbook on Comparative Federalism 
• Master in European Integration and Regionalism
• Handbook on Self-Government and Group Rights: the Autonomy of South Tyrol
• Observatory on the Autonomy of South Tyrol 
• Collaboration within the scientific EZFF-network for the organization of conferences and the publication of the "Yearbook on Federalism", European Center for Research on Federalism (EZFF), Tübingen 
• Research focus "The Balkans"; for detailed information on the international conference and all aside events in 2008 please consult the German or Italian page