Italy launches various regional funding programs for business and social welfare

Various Italian regional and national authorities have announced new funding initiatives to support entrepreneurship, social welfare, and agricultural safety.

In Lombardy, the regional government has increased funding for the ‘Nuova Impresa’ program to 11.8 million euros to support new small and medium enterprises. Additionally, 40 million euros have been allocated to develop strategic technologies and social economy initiatives. To improve agricultural safety, a deadline extension to December 2026 has been set for grants up to 2,000 euros to modernize tractor safety equipment. Social welfare measures include a 2 million euro boost to the ‘#UP’ program for youth in distress and the extension of home midwifery services across all 28 local health authorities in the region.

In Lazio, a 15 million euro package has been launched to support professionals and entrepreneurs under 40. This includes non-repayable grants and zero-interest loans to assist with business startup and growth phases.

Nationally, the Integrated Self-Employment Plan, managed by Invitalia and funded by the FSE+ program, has seen over 5,300 applications from young people seeking to start autonomous work or businesses, with significant participation from women and youth in southern regions.