Sicily government unveils €400 million economic plan and €220 million cohesion package

The Sicilian regional administration, led by President Renato Schifani, is advancing a series of funding measures totaling several hundred million euros. An accelerated economic maneuver of €400 million will be examined by the regional council, with an initial €150 million aimed at refinancing departmental budgets and a later €250 million tranche for further projects, including a €50 million allocation to the Territorial Initiatives Fund.

Separate initiatives address specific sectoral needs: the Avviso 14 employment incentive scheme, financed with €82 million, remains unpaid, prompting M5S deputy Roberta Schillaci to demand prompt disbursement. A state‑funded €17 million grant from Iblea Acque targets water‑network loss reduction in the province of Ragusa, while the regional environment department has earmarked over €18 million for re‑naturalising forests damaged by last year’s wildfires, funding 15 municipal projects. The regional editorial support programme will distribute €3 million in grants to print, digital, radio and TV outlets. Finally, the “Coesione e crescita” law, approved by the Schifani cabinet, allocates €221 million for measures supporting young families, businesses, health infrastructure, highway maintenance and flood‑control projects.