by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviews: Alessia Rosolen, FVG Councilor for Labor, Education, Training, and University
The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region is investing nearly €60 million in education for 2026, strengthening financial support for students from middle school through university while expanding opportunities for those pursuing higher technical education.
Speaking at the Regional Government headquarters on Wednesday, Regional Councilor for Education Alessia Rosolen unveiled the Region’s latest right-to-education initiatives under Regional Laws 13/2018 and 21/2014, both administered by ARDiS, the Regional Agency for the Right to Education.
The funding package totals €59.3 million, with €45.3 million earmarked for university and ITS Academy students and nearly €14 million dedicated to schools across the region.
Among the most significant changes is the increase in the household income threshold (ISEE) for school assistance, which rises to €35,000, allowing more families to qualify for financial support.
For the 2025/2026 school year, grants amount to €250 for lower secondary school students and €400 for upper secondary school students. The measure is expected to benefit 29,033 students, with a total investment of €8.6 million.
The Region is also continuing a range of support programs, including an €800 boarding-school contribution, a psychological support bonus, a textbook lending service, and specialized assistance for blind and visually impaired students.
A major innovation announced by Rosolen is the introduction of a single unified application process for university and ITS Academy students beginning with the 2026/2027 academic year. Published on June 23, the new call for applications places ITS Academy students on the same footing as university students for the first time, integrating them permanently into the regional right-to-education system.
The unified system covers the University of Trieste, the University of Udine, SISSA, the region’s two conservatories, the Accademia di Belle Arti Tiepolo, and Friuli Venezia Giulia’s four ITS Academy institutions.
“Integrating ITS students was essential for us,” Rosolen said. “I believe we are the first region in Italy to do so in a structural way.”
Scholarships have also grown significantly in recent years. During the 2025/2026 academic year, 7,422 students in Trieste and Udine received grants, compared with 5,449 in 2018/2019. Total scholarship funding reached €36.9 million.
Students with an ISEE of up to €27,948.60 are eligible for scholarships worth as much as €7,072.10, while students with disabilities may receive grants of up to €9,193.73. The number of non-EU scholarship recipients has increased by 142 percent since 2018.
The Region also introduced new support for student parents under Regional Law 14/2025, guaranteeing full scholarship coverage. In addition, funding for ITS Academy students, previously supported through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), will now be financed entirely through the regional budget.
Rosolen said the scale of the investment demonstrates Friuli Venezia Giulia’s long-term commitment to educational excellence.
“The amount of funding allocated reflects the extent of our investment in ensuring the quality of educational opportunities throughout our region,” she said.
