by InTrieste
The City of Trieste has officially opened applications for its 2025 Caregiver Support Grant, aimed at easing the burden on family members who care for chronically ill or disabled loved ones at home.
The announcement follows the approval of Municipal Resolution No. 1749, dated July 8, 2025. Starting immediately, eligible applicants have 60 days—until September 9, 2025—to submit their requests for financial assistance.
The grant is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Social Services to recognize and support the essential role of family caregivers, who often provide unpaid, full-time care to relatives suffering from chronic illnesses or disabilities. While the city has offered similar aid in past years, this year’s program includes updated criteria and renewed funding commitments.
How to Apply
Interested caregivers must complete the official application form, which is available for download on the City of Trieste’s website (www.comune.trieste.it) or in person at the ground floor public service counter of the Department of Social Services, located at Via Mazzini 25.
In addition to the completed form, applicants must submit:
- A copy of the applicant’s valid identification
- A completed Zarit Burden Interview questionnaire — a standardized, 22-item tool used to assess the emotional and physical strain experienced by caregivers.
The Zarit scale is widely recognized in the fields of gerontology and psychology as a measure of caregiver stress, particularly when dealing with long-term or degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or advanced disabilities.
A Broader Social Challenge
The program comes at a time when Italy—like much of Europe—is grappling with an aging population and the increasing need for long-term, home-based care. In this context, unpaid family caregivers are often the backbone of the healthcare system, filling gaps that formal services cannot fully address.
City officials emphasized that the grant is not only a form of economic support but also a gesture of institutional recognition for the invisible labor carried out by thousands of residents across the city.
“We understand the critical role family caregivers play in maintaining the wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services. “This program aims to lighten that load, even if modestly, and to acknowledge their sacrifices.”
Looking Ahead
Trieste’s initiative echoes similar efforts at the regional and national level to legislate better support frameworks for caregivers. With the September 9 deadline approaching, officials are urging eligible citizens not to delay.
For more information, residents are encouraged to consult the city’s website or contact the Department of Social Services directly.
