by InTrieste
The regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia has unveiled a sweeping package of financial incentives aimed at supporting new mothers, encouraging earlier parenthood and easing young families into homeownership.
Governor Massimiliano Fedriga announced the measures on Tuesday during the regional assembly’s discussion of the 2026 budget law. The plan earmarks €32 million to provide a monthly allowance of €250 for all new mothers during the first 12 months of a child’s life. For women under 30 at the time of giving birth, the allowance will double to €500 per month.
In addition, mothers under 30 will be eligible for a non-repayable contribution of up to €40,000 to purchase their first home, provided the property falls under an ISEE income threshold of €35,000 and the applicant holds a regional “Carta famiglia,” a certification used for accessing family-related benefits.
“We are working to support parenthood with the goal of increasing the birthrate in our region,” Fedriga said, describing Friuli Venezia Giulia as the first region in Italy to introduce incentives of this scale. He emphasized that the measures form part of a broader network of family-supporting policies, including nursery subsidies, school assistance, and a 50 percent discount on public transportation for families.
The regional government plans to allocate a total of €139 million over the next three years to bolster birthrates, promote youth independence, and support women’s employment. According to Fedriga, the measures represent a “structural investment” intended to give families greater stability and to encourage younger women who might otherwise delay motherhood.
Delays in starting a family are a growing demographic concern in the region. The average age of first-time mothers in Friuli Venezia Giulia is 31.7, and the fertility rate stands at 1.2 children per woman — well below the replacement level and slightly below the national average.
Alessia Rosolen, the regional councillor for family policy, outlined the eligibility requirements for the new allowances. Applicants must have held residency in the region for at least 12 consecutive months and possess an ISEE value of up to €35,000. They must also be employed at the time of application, enrolled in an educational or training program, or registered as immediately available for work.
Homeownership incentives will represent a major share of future spending. The administration has allocated €82 million from 2026 to 2028 to subsidize up to half the cost of a first home for eligible young mothers, up to a maximum of €40,000, for properties priced under €200,000. The home must be owned or co-owned by the mother, a provision the governor says is intended to strengthen women’s long-term economic autonomy.
Housing costs account for roughly 35 percent of the average family budget in the region, Fedriga and Rosolen noted, arguing that direct support for home purchases could ease financial stress while encouraging demographic renewal.
The new measures build on a series of existing programs that already total more than €98 million annually, including nursery-fee reductions, summer-camp and after-school support, incentives for families with a third child, and a regional pension bonus.
The package forms part of the region’s broader strategy to counter population decline, foster social innovation and enhance the appeal of Friuli Venezia Giulia for young families — goals enshrined in a law passed in October.
