  Neutrinoless double beta decay (0v\b{eta}\b{eta}) is considered the best
potential resource to access the absolute neutrino mass scale. Moreover, if
observed, it will signal that neutrinos are their own anti-particles (Majorana
particles). Presently, this physics case is one of the most important research
"beyond Standard Model" and might guide the way towards a Grand Unified Theory
of fundamental interactions.
  Since the 0v\b{eta}\b{eta} decay process involves nuclei, its analysis
necessarily implies nuclear structure issues. In the NURE project, supported by
a Starting Grant of the European Research Council (ERC), nuclear reactions of
double charge-exchange (DCE) are used as a tool to extract information on the
0v\b{eta}\b{eta} Nuclear Matrix Elements. In DCE reactions and \b{eta}\b{eta}
decay indeed the initial and final nuclear states are the same and the
transition operators have similar structure. Thus the measurement of the DCE
absolute cross-sections can give crucial information on \b{eta}\b{eta} matrix
elements. In a wider view, the NUMEN international collaboration plans a major
upgrade of the INFN-LNS facilities in the next years in order to increase the
experimental production of nuclei of at least two orders of magnitude, thus
making feasible a systematic study of all the cases of interest as candidates
for 0v\b{eta}\b{eta}.
