Abstract: The article examines the external dimension of regional action in the case of Italian regions. It addresses some aspects of regional mobilisation at European level, and concentrates on direct presence of Italian regions in the Brussels arena. External regional mobilisation is explained as a parallel to the developments of domestic regional reforms and the strengthening of the Italian regional model that created the conditions for boosting the external role of sub-national entities.

Keywords: Italian regions, European Union, external regional mobilisation, regions in the European arena