Regional Programme Liguria ERDF 2021-2027: Road Map – new opportunities for public bodies and businesses

The new calendar of calls for proposals under the Regional Programme Liguria ERDF 2021-2027 has been presented. In the first part of the current year, it foresees the launch of new strategic measures aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the region.

With a total budget of €86 million, the measures are structured around four main areas: productive investments, research and development, finance and energy.

This new programme includes financial support measures for:

• strengthening regional research infrastructures aimed at advancing the technological development of local businesses;
• strengthening business networks;
• supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in implementing projects aimed at transitioning business activities from a linear to a circular approach;
• developing specialised skills for innovative start-ups;
• supporting projects implemented by businesses organised into production supply chains;
• business capitalisation through equity and quasi-equity instruments;
• developing audiovisual projects in Liguria and supporting local productions;
• supporting investments by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the craft, retail, tourism and catering sectors;
• supporting energy-efficiency measures for businesses operating in the craft, retail, tourism and catering sectors;
• facilitating access to credit for businesses in the craft sector (Craft Guarantee) and the retail sector (Cassa Commercio).

The new Road Map also includes:

• a call for proposals to support Regional Research and Innovation Hubs in managing business aggregation activities and territorial development initiatives;
• a three-year experimental measure supporting the development and research activities of the National Underwater Dimension Hub (PNS), aimed at businesses operating in the underwater technology and Blue Economy sectors;
• a call for proposals supporting measures to improve the energy performance of public buildings or buildings used for public purposes.

Regional Programme Liguria ERDF 2021-2027:  Risk Capital Fund for Ligurian startups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

The new Risk Capital Fund has been activated by Regione Liguria, a measure designed to strengthen access to risk capital for Ligurian startups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through direct co-investment, together with third-party private investors who are independent from the companies, in predominantly equity and quasi-equity financial instruments.

The measure, in particular, is divided into:

Line A - interventions in favor of small enterprises in the start-up phase

Line B - interventions in favor of MSMEs for risk financing

For both lines, the Fund provides investments in the form of equity or quasi-equity together with a private co-investor, who will have to intervene with a share between 40% and 60% of the entire investment.

(measure active from 22 September until funds run out)

 Risk Capital Fund

Regional Programme Liguria ERDF 2021-2027: call for proposals for the attraction of new audiovisual projects to the Ligurian territory

The regional call for proposals is active to support the attraction of independent, national and international audiovisual production companies, for the production of audiovisual works in the Ligurian territory.

More specifically, the measure aims to support the development of products and services complementary to the enhancement of identified cultural and natural attractions of the territory, also through the integration among companies in the cultural, tourism, creative and entertainment sectors.

Eligible initiatives concern the production of audiovisual works carried out by Italian, European or non-European companies and intended for national and international distribution, which meet one of the following criteria:

carry out at least 30% of the filming days in the Ligurian territory;
incur at least 20% of the budgeted expenditure in the Ligurian territory.

The following types of projects are eligible:

Feature films (minimum duration of 52 minutes);
TV series (minimum duration of 90 minutes).

The support provided by the call consists of a non-repayable grant, with different percentages depending on the score awarded to the project and, in any case, up to a maximum of €300,000.

(measure active from 22 September to 2 October 2026)

 2026 call for proposals – Measures to Support the Attraction of Audiovisual Productions

Regional Programme Liguria ERDF 2021-2027: call for proposals to support ligurian companies for the development and production of audiovisual projects

The regional call for proposals is active to promote the growth of Ligurian audiovisual production companies, supporting the development and production of audiovisual projects.

The call is divided into the following sub-measures:

DEVELOPMENT: development of audiovisual projects carried out by companies and associations based in Liguria, intended for national and international distribution.

PRODUCTION: production of audiovisual works carried out by companies based in Liguria and intended for national and international distribution, which meet one of the following criteria:

carry out at least 30% of the filming days in the Ligurian territory;
incur at least 20% of the budgeted expenditure in the Ligurian territory.

The following types of projects are eligible:

• Feature films (minimum duration of 52 minutes);
• TV series (minimum duration of 90 minutes);
• web series (duration of more than 50 minutes);
• whort films (maximum duration of 30 minutes).

The support provided by the call consists of a non-repayable grant covering a maximum of 70% of the investment and, in any case, up to €30,000 for the Development sub-measure, and covering a maximum of 70% of the investment and, in any case, up to €120,000 for the Production sub-measure.

(measure active from 22 September 2026 to 2 October 2026)

 2026 call for proposals – Measures to Support the Development and Production of Audiovisual Projects

Regional Programme Liguria ERDF 2021-2027: call for proposals to support research and experimental development projects in the underwater sector carried out in Liguria

The regional call for proposals is active with the aim of accelerating the development of the Italian underwater technology supply chain and strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of the Blue Economy.

The measure finances projects for civil or dual-use applications aimed at developing prototypes and technologies with a high level of innovation in the underwater domain, submitted by SMEs either individually or in association (ATS), in collaboration with Universities and research centres, and by Large Enterprises exclusively in collaboration with SMEs.

The projects, with a maximum duration of 18 months and falling within the “Sea Technologies” macro-area referred to in the regional S3, must fall under at least one of the following thematic areas:

• Underwater Networks, Infrastructure and Situational Awareness;
• Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, Robotics and Propulsion;
• Data Processing, AI and Classification;
• Blue Economy, Marine Environment and Observation;
• Materials, Underwater Hardware and Production Processes.

The support provided by the call consists of a non-repayable grant calculated on the eligible expenses, up to a maximum of €800,000.

(measure active from 1 September to 15 September 2026)

Call for proposals – Support for Research and Development Projects in the Underwater Domain Falling within the Sea Technologies Area Referred to in the Regional S3

Measures for the Ligurian inland areas

Regione Liguria has introduced a series of specific measures to encourage the establishment of new economic activities and support existing micro-enterprises in the Ligurian inland areas.

Support for the establishment of new businesses

An experimental measure is available to support the opening of new businesses in the craft, retail and catering sectors in inland areas. The measure provides a non-repayable grant of up to €300 per month for five years to cover rent and other operating costs.

Applications can be submitted through the Genoa Chamber of Commerce.

(Measure open from 15 September 2025 to 31 December 2026)

Support for existing businesses

A measure is available to support the liquidity of micro-enterprises already operating in the craft, retail, catering and community cooperative sectors, provided that their business activities are located in non-coastal municipalities in Liguria with a population of no more than 5,000 inhabitants.

The measure provides a one-off contribution of up to €3,600 towards operating expenses such as rent, utilities and local taxes.

Applications can be submitted through FILSE's Bandi Online platform.

(Measure open until funds are exhausted)

Support measures for the revitalisation of Ligurian industrial crisis areas

For the complex industrial crisis area of Savona, recognised by the Ministerial Decree of 21 September 2016 and comprising 21 municipalities in the Province of Savona, as well as for the non-complex industrial crisis area, which covers 38 municipalities in the region identified by the Director's Decree of 19 December 2016 , specific national and regional support measures are available.

These measures provide targeted financial support aimed at promoting productive reconversion, employment recovery and entrepreneurial development, with the objective of strengthening existing businesses while encouraging new investments in the areas concerned.

COMPLEX INDUSTRIAL CRISIS AREA OF SAVONA

The new Programme Agreement for the implementation of the industrial reconversion and redevelopment project for the complex industrial crisis area of Savona , signed on 10 August 2023, confirms the revitalisation and development objectives already set out in the previous interinstitutional Programme Agreement of 30 March 2018.

The agreement provides for €30 million in national funding, complemented by €20 million in regional funding, through the activation of dedicated calls under the Liguria ERDF Regional Programme 2021-2027.

Visit the dedicated section on the complex industrial crisis area of Savona on the Regione Liguria website.

You can also find details of the calls launched under the current ERDF Regional Programme for Liguria's industrial crisis areas by accessing the dedicated section .

NON-COMPLEX INDUSTRIAL CRISIS AREA

To support development programmes in the territories included in the non-complex industrial crisis area, the Liguria ERDF Regional Programme 2021-2027 has established specific measures for businesses aimed at encouraging investment and promoting employment.

Visit the dedicated section on the non-complex industrial crisis area on the Regione Liguria website.

You can also find details of the calls launched under the current ERDF Regional Programme for Liguria's industrial crisis areas by accessing the dedicated section of the Regione Liguria website.

The Simplified Logistics Zones (ZLS) of Liguria and simplification and support measures for businesses

Liguria is home to two Simplified Logistics Zones (ZLS): the Port and Inland Port of Genoa , which is already operational, and the Port and Inland Port of La Spezia, which is currently being activated.

The primary objective of the Simplified Logistics Zones is to promote investments functionally connected to port and logistics activities, with a view to strengthening and developing the local economy.

The ZLS system was introduced by the 2018 Italian Budget Law to encourage new investments in the more developed regions of Central and Northern Italy, extending administrative simplification measures and, in some cases, financial incentives through tax credits to companies operating within these areas as well as to new businesses establishing themselves there.

In addition, Intercluded Customs Free Zones may be established within ZLS areas, with the benefits provided for under the Union Customs Code.

We invite you to visit the Regione Liguria website's dedicated page on the Simplified Logistics Zones (ZLS) of Genoa and La Spezia . Here you can find detailed information on how the ZLSs operate and on the administrative, tax and customs simplifications available to new and existing businesses.