by InTrieste
Two new education programs will provide financial support to high school students in Friuli Venezia Giulia, including opportunities to study languages abroad and take part in educational trips.
The initiatives, presented Monday in Udine, are the latest collaboration between the regional government, the Fondazione Pietro Pittini and the Fondazioni Casali ETS. They are designed to expand access to educational experiences, particularly for students whose families might otherwise struggle to afford them.
The first program, the 2026-27 Internationalization Scholarship, will offer up to 40 scholarships for 15-day language stays in Malta or Munich, Germany. The program is open to students in the third and fourth years of upper secondary schools in the region, with participants able to study English in Malta or German in Munich.
Organized by the Fondazione Pietro Pittini in collaboration with the regional education department and the Regional School Office, the initiative also includes an ideas competition titled “Is My Future Here?” Students must work in teams of three to five and submit a video, a written project and a statement explaining their motivation. Projects must be submitted by March 31, 2027.
The competition encourages students to examine the professional and educational opportunities available in Friuli Venezia Giulia, including research institutions, businesses and start-ups.
Families will contribute to travel expenses according to their household income, as measured by Italy’s ISEE system. Those with an ISEE below €15,000 will pay nothing, while the maximum contribution for families with an ISEE above €50,000 will be €500.
The 15-day stays will include language lessons, cultural and recreational activities, and accommodation with local families.
Regional Education Councilor Alessia Rosolen said the program would give 40 students access to international experiences that might otherwise be beyond their reach. She also highlighted the importance of German-language education, noting its relevance to the region’s historical linguistic communities and its economic and cultural ties with neighboring countries.
Rosolen also pointed to Friuli Venezia Giulia’s more than 20 international research institutions, saying that greater awareness of these organizations could help young people identify career opportunities in the region.
Marina Pittini, president of the Fondazione Pietro Pittini, said 144 students from Friuli Venezia Giulia had participated in the program during its initial years. She said the initiative aimed not only to improve language skills but also to expose students to different cultures and experiences.
Patrizia Pavatti, director of the Regional School Office, emphasized the importance of making international educational opportunities accessible to students who might not otherwise be able to afford them.
The second initiative, the third edition of iTEENerari Culturali, will provide grants of up to €250 per student to help cover the cost of school trips and educational visits.
The program, promoted by the Fondazione Pietro Pittini in partnership with the Fondazioni Casali ETS, is open to students living in Friuli Venezia Giulia and attending upper secondary schools in the region’s four provinces. Applicants must come from households with an ISEE of no more than €20,000.
Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2027, or until available funding is exhausted. Elvira Fulco, secretary-general of the Fondazioni Casali ETS, presented the initiative.
Rosolen also highlighted the regional government’s Dote Famiglia program, which provides support for extracurricular activities and educational outings, particularly for younger students.
