This Policy Brief addresses sanctioning and incentive mechanisms related to compliance with workers’ rights in agriculture in Italy. The first section highlights existing critical issues concerning sanctioning mechanisms linked to the social conditionality of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds. Subsequently, the Italian experience of the Network for Quality Work in Agriculture is presented, which in some Italian regions is additionally connected to incentive mechanisms for employers. The final section provides policy recommendations addressed to the EU, national and regional state bodies, regarding both mechanisms.

This policy brief is the result of reflections developed during the DignityFIRM project and further elaborated during a focus group held in October 2025, which included representatives from various employer organisations and officials from national and regional bodies involved in managing the Network for Quality Work in Agriculture and the social conditionality of CAP funds.