Italian regions roll out agricultural water and funding programs

agricultural funding water scarcity regional subsidies Italy farm innovation

Regional authorities across Italy have announced a series of measures to support agriculture amid rising water costs and climate pressures. In Puglia, the H2O project, funded through the 2025‑2026 infrastructure equalisation fund and coordinated by Unioncamere Puglia with Water Europe and Uniontrasporti, will survey water costs, supply difficulties and needs of farms in four pilot municipalities via a questionnaire and 200 phone interviews. Coldiretti Puglia backs the initiative, stressing the need for data‑driven responses.

The Piedmont region plans an extraordinary allocation of subsidised agricultural fuel worth 70 % of the ordinary quota for irrigation, with applications accepted until 20 November 2026, to help farms cope with drought and higher production costs.

Puglia’s Filiere grant (SRD13), financed with €40 million, received 129 applications requesting €180 million in investments and will advance 55 firms to the next administrative stage, targeting the fruit‑vegetable, oil, wine and other agro‑food sectors.

In Basilicata, the Agri Hub programme, promoted by Eni Natural Energies and ALSIA, opened a call for expressions of interest from firms to act as “Aggregators” coordinating and tracking the agricultural supply chain.

Molise approved €155,022.55 for its apiculture sector to boost productivity, resilience and biodiversity.

Banca Popolare di Puglia e Basilicata (BPPB) launched a new credit framework with the European Investment Bank and ISMEA to finance farm innovation, water‑use efficiency and renewable‑energy projects.

Emilia‑Romagna’s Agrea agency began disbursing advance payments of the 2026 Common Agricultural Policy, delivering roughly €120 million to about 33,000 farms ahead of the usual schedule.

Entities: CSR Puglia · Carmine Cicala · Coldiretti Puglia · Filiere di Puglia · Francesco Paolicelli · PEI‑Agri Operational Groups · Puglia Region · Region of Puglia · Regione Piemonte · Regione Puglia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The Puglia Filiere grant (SRD13) provides €40 million, received 129 applications requesting €180 million in investments, and will admit 55 firms to the next phase.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The H2O project is funded through the 2025‑2026 infrastructure equalisation fund and promoted by Unioncamere Puglia with partners Water Europe and Uniontrasporti.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Molise approved €155,022.55 for its apiculture sector for the 2026‑2027 campaign.
[○ 1 SOURCE] BPPB launched a credit framework with the European Investment Bank and ISMEA to support farm innovation, water efficiency and renewable‑energy projects.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Emilia‑Romagna’s Agrea agency began disbursing advance payments of the 2026 CAP, delivering about €120 million to roughly 33,000 farms.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The H2O project in Puglia will conduct a questionnaire and 200 phone interviews with agricultural firms in Manduria, Molfetta, Nardo and San Giovanni Rotondo.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Piedmont will authorize an extraordinary allocation of agricultural fuel at 70 % of the ordinary quota for irrigation, with applications open until 20 November 2026.
[● 2 SOURCES] Basilicata’s Agri Hub programme opened a call for expressions of interest from firms to act as Aggregators, coordinated by Eni Natural Energies and ALSIA.