Integrity in Major Infrastructure Projects: The M4 Experience

Despite ongoing debate in Italy regarding the risk of mafia infiltration in major infrastructure projects, data on anti-mafia screening in public procurement remains largely undocumented. To address this gap, the research centre Transcrime, its spin-off Crime&tech, and M4 S.p.A. conducted the first empirical study in Italy on integrity controls within a major public project: the construction of Milan’s new ‘blue line’ underground.

The study (available here) was presented at the Università Cattolica. By examining the supply chain, the workforce involved, the anti-mafia checks performed, and risk profiling conducted via an innovative system – the anomaly indicators developed by Transcrime – the analysis quantified the scale and complexity of integrity safeguards within a strategic, multi-site project. The findings provide a basis for developing preventive policies and tools against criminal infiltration, benefiting contracting authorities, regulatory bodies, and businesses across Italy.