The first research programme (2000-2003) cost approximately EUR 10.8 million, of which nearly 60% was funded by the Special Law via the Ministry for Research. Co-financing was provided by other administrations as well as by the research departments and other partners. The second research programme (2004-2007) received just under EUR 6 million from the Special Law, plus co-financing. Observation of sea level and meteorological parameters is carried out through a monitoring network (11 stations), which gives a real-time view of marine and weather conditions in the Venice Lagoon and along the Adriatic coast. All stations measure sea level, and some also collect meteorological parameters: air pressure, humidity, wind velocity and direction, waves and air temperature. It is composed of dozens of separate institutes, each with a particular specialisation, which have been merged and consolidated lately as part of a cost-cutting, rationalisation strategy.