All Member States submitted the final version of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 to the European Commission by 31 December 2022. The CSPs approved by the Commission, given the relevant innovations introduced by the New Delivery Model, make specific choices in response to national needs and a programming approach typical of each country. The article aims to provide a synoptic reading of MSs’ choices in the CSPs, to identify common strategic paths and national peculiarities. This analysis is realized comparing the Strategic Statements against the financial allocation in each CSP. The contribution exploits both qualitative and quantitative data and information derived from the CSPs 2023-2027. The dataset is based on the Strategic Statements of each country, and the corresponding financial allocation arising from the overviews of the CSP published by the European Commission. The article is based on a two steps analysis: a Text Mining-Clustering technique, the results of which are assessed against the analysis of the financial allocation by type of intervention conducted by the Balassa index and Concentration ratio. The Strategic Statements are sometime inconsistent with the policy mix defined in the budget allocation by type of intervention. Clusters based on Strategic Statements don’t always seem to be fully in line with the actual “policy shape” defined in the budget allocation. Some interventions appear to be more discriminating than others in defining the different policy patterns. Regulatory constraints limit the margins of manoeuvre of MSs, although some of them move to voluntarily go beyond minimum commitments, highlighting specific policy choices. These choices are related to the national context in which the CAP operates, and this implies a different use of the available tools to achieve similar goals with different groups of interventions.

Among its various targets on restoring natural habitats and ecosystems in the EU, the recently adopted Nature Restoration Law (NRL) introduces ambitious targets for restoring surface water bodies (SWBs) as well. Simultaneously, the Italian CAP Strategic Plan for the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027 has been designed to enhance sustainable agricultural practices, including water resource management. This paper provides a comparative analysis of the synergies, gaps, and challenges between these two regulatory frameworks, focusing on sustainable water use in Italian agriculture. A two-level comparative matrix methodology is employed to evaluate the alignment between the NRL’s objectives for freshwater ecosystems and the measures taken by the Italian CAP Strategic Plan on water resources. The results highlight key areas of convergence, existing shortcomings, and necessary steps for aligning Italian agricultural policies with the EU’s water restoration goals. The findings offer insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders engaged in water governance, biodiversity conservation, and agricultural sustainability.

The Integrated Supply Chain Projects (ISCP) are promoted under the framework of Rural Development Programs (RDPs). Considering the scarce literature on ISCP, the case of Tuscany, one of the Italian regions that has implemented ISCPs most aggressively, was analyzed. The aim of this work is to give evidence of the potential positive effects of ISCPs for the agricultural sector by considering the differences between ISCP beneficiaries (treated) and non-ISCP farms (non-treated). The materials used for the analysis are twofold: the Italian Rural Network database and the Italian Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) dataset. The analysis is based on a three-year period (2018–2020). The sample consists of 1693 farms, outliers excluded. The treated farms included in the FADN sample total 134. The variables used are both structural and economic. The statistical analysis carried out compares treated and non-treated farms using the Welch-t-test. The results show that some key variables are significant (area; labour; revenues and costs). In general, the treated farms are more likely to improve their production process through EU funding and through new investments. In conclusion, the ISCP could be a good opportunity to support the sector. This work suggests that beneficiaries could achieve higher economic performance, especially when carrying out diversified activities.