by InTrieste
The Friuli Venezia Giulia regional government will allocate €2.05 million in 2026 to support the creation of new commerce districts and strengthen existing ones, continuing a program aimed at revitalizing local shopping areas and town centers.
The funding includes €1.8 million for launching new district projects and €250,000 for expanding and consolidating the network of districts already in operation. A public call for applications is expected to be issued this autumn.
Commerce districts are partnerships between municipalities, businesses and local organizations designed to promote neighborhood retail, coordinate marketing initiatives and encourage urban regeneration. Since the program began in 2023, the region has established 25 districts spanning 161 of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s 215 municipalities, covering roughly 75 percent of the territory.
Under the 2026 plan, €1.5 million will finance investment costs for new districts, while €300,000 will cover operating expenses during their startup phase. The region intends to prioritize the creation of three new districts in mountain municipalities, while supporting the continued development of existing districts.
Regional officials said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize the retail sector and improve the competitiveness of local commercial centers by fostering collaboration among municipalities and small businesses.
Since 2023, Friuli Venezia Giulia has invested €12.7 million in commerce districts through three funding rounds. The largest allocation came in 2023 with €9 million to establish the first 20 districts, followed by €1.1 million in 2024 and €2.6 million in 2025 for additional districts and consolidation projects.
The 2026 framework also introduces new measures under the region’s Commerce and Tourism Code, including the creation of a regional register of district managers. Districts that appoint a manager from the official register will be eligible to finance that position through the Commerce Fund.
Additional incentives will reward districts that partner with employee welfare platforms, encouraging broader participation by small and medium-sized retailers across their territories.
