At a territorial level, local authorities, with the valuable support of the realities of the third sector, guarantee interventions of "integrated reception" that go beyond the mere distribution of food and accommodation, and provide in a complementary way also measures of information, accompaniment, assistance and guidance, through the construction of individual paths of socio-economic integration. The main characteristics of the Protection System are:

• the public nature of the resources made available and the bodies politically responsible for reception, Ministry of the Interior and local authorities, according to a logic of multi-level governance;
• the voluntary nature of the local authorities in participating in the network of reception projects;
• the decentralisation of "integrated reception" interventions;
• the synergies launched on the territory with the so-called "managing bodies", subjects of the third sector that contribute in an essential way to the implementation of the interventions;
• the promotion and development of local networks, with the involvement of all actors and privileged interlocutors for the success of reception, protection, integration measures in favour of applicants and holders of international protection.

The territorial projects of SPRAR are characterized by an active protagonism, shared by large cities and small towns, metropolitan areas and provincial towns. Unlike the European scene, in Italy the implementation of small and medium SPRAR projects - designed and implemented locally, with the direct participation of local actors - helps to build and strengthen a culture of welcome in the city communities and promotes the continuity of the socio-economic integration of the beneficiaries. 

The Central Service   
The Central Service was established by the Ministry of the Interior Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration and entrusted by convention to ANCI. In turn, ANCI, for the implementation of its activities, avails itself of the operational support of the Cittalia Foundation.
The Central Service is in charge of:

• monitoring the presence on the territory of applicants for and holders of international protection;
• creation, maintenance and constant updating of a database of interventions carried out at local level in favour of applicants and holders of international protection;
• spread of information on the interventions carried out;
• technical assistance to local authorities, also in the preparation of reception services;
• support to information and guidance services implemented in government centres for asylum seekers;
• support to ANCI in fulfilling its role as delegated authority for the European Refugee Fund (ERF).

The Central Service also plays its role of coordination and consultancy towards special reception services, activated within the Protection System and dedicated to people belonging to the so-called most vulnerable categories, such as unaccompanied minors, disabled people, even temporary, people requiring home, health, specialized and prolonged assistance, elderly people and victims of torture and violence. The Central Service also takes care of the training and updating of operators, and - in a logic of exchange between the centre and the periphery - works so that the experiences of the territories become common heritage and the services offered guarantee quality standards).