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
The aim of this activity is the publication of books, monographs, and the organization of 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
The Institute aims at producing publications, seminars and studies to provide answers on how specific arrangements of the territorial structure can help to solve ethnic conflicts, thus combining classical federal studies with a (identity and territorial) diversity - management approach. These activities offer opportunities for a strong collaboration 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 on-going 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
• Workshop: Authors' meeting "Yearbook on Federalism" in collaboration with the European Center for Research on Federalism (EZFF)