Pistoia and Prato businesses receive support for certification and export

Business support initiatives in the Pistoia and Prato regions of Italy are focusing on certification and international expansion. CNA Toscana Centro, in collaboration with Accredia and UNI, is hosting a conference in Pistoia to discuss the role of ISO management systems and accredited certifications. These certifications, which cover areas such as environmental management, energy performance, gender equality, and information security, are increasingly used by local companies to enhance competitiveness and sustainability. Data indicates that by the end of 2025, over 500 companies in the Prato and Pistoia provinces had engaged in accredited certification processes, involving approximately 12,000 workers.

Simultaneously, the Pistoia-Prato Chamber of Commerce has launched a call for 2026 internationalization grants. The program offers non-repayable contributions covering 50% of eligible expenses to help micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), consortia, and cooperatives expand into foreign markets. Grants can reach up to 6,000 euros for individual companies and 9,000 euros for consortia and cooperatives. Eligible projects include market analysis, foreign language marketing, product certification for export, trademark protection, and specialized legal or fiscal consultancy. Priority may be given to companies holding legality ratings or gender equality certifications.