by InTrieste
The regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia plans to open a new tourism funding program by the end of May, allocating an initial €3 million to support upgrades and modernization projects in the hospitality and restaurant sectors.
The announcement was made Tuesday in the Regional Council by Sergio Emidio Bini, the regional councillor for productive activities and tourism, who said the measure was being introduced ahead of a broader regulatory framework expected later this summer.
According to Bini, the decision reflects the region’s effort to respond to continued growth in tourism and the increasing demand for higher-quality accommodations.
The new measure, known as the Tourism Fund, is expected to become part of a wider regional code governing commerce and tourism, which will consolidate 15 separate funding channels for the sector.
Regional officials said the program is intended to encourage investments that improve sustainability, accessibility and working conditions in tourism-related businesses. Projects emphasizing environmental standards, universal accessibility and stronger labor protections are expected to receive higher evaluation scores during the selection process.
The fund will be open to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operating in tourism and hospitality, including restaurants. Officials said the application process had been designed to simplify procedures and provide clearer timelines for the approval and disbursement of grants.
Eligible projects will include building renovations, the purchase of furnishings and equipment, parking construction, accessibility improvements and the acquisition of properties intended for hospitality use.
The minimum eligible investment has been set at €20,000, although projects focused solely on furnishings may qualify with investments starting at €10,000.
Businesses will be able to apply under two different European Union aid frameworks, both capped at €300,000 per project. Under the “de minimis” regime, grants may cover up to 50 percent of eligible costs. A second framework, based on the European Union’s General Block Exemption Regulation, will provide support ranging from 10 to 30 percent depending on company size and the type of investment.
For the program’s first year, expenses incurred starting Jan. 1, 2025, will also be considered eligible under the de minimis framework.
Funding will be distributed through a ranking system. Additional points will be awarded to projects located in mountain municipalities, tourism hubs and UNESCO-designated sites, as well as to businesses holding environmental certifications or offering enhanced collective labor agreements for employees.
Bini also said lawmakers had incorporated suggestions during Tuesday’s council session to provide incentives for the redevelopment of existing buildings rather than new construction.
