Italy announces 48.5 million euros for oratory sports facilities

The Italian Department for Sport has announced a major funding initiative to support and enhance oratories as social and educational hubs. The program, funded through the 2021-2027 Development and Cohesion Fund, provides a total of 48.5 million euros for the creation, renovation, and regeneration of sports facilities within these spaces.

Targeted beneficiaries include parishes, Third Sector entities, and ecclesiastical bodies from the Catholic Church and other religious denominations. The funding aims to use sport as a tool to combat social exclusion, racial discrimination, and youth delinquency, particularly in areas facing urban and social decay. Eligible projects include the construction of multi-purpose playgrounds, the renovation of existing courts—including flooring, lighting, and fencing—and the creation of indoor youth aggregation spaces.

Specific allocations include 6.5 million euros for 2026 dedicated to supporting operator training, innovative educational research, and interdiocesan projects. In the Calabria region, approximately 3.7 million euros has been earmarked. Applications can be submitted by Dioceses or directly by affiliated entities, with a deadline for submissions set for October 16, 2026.