Incentives

Bookshops run by under-35s: the MIC gives the go-ahead for the €4 million call for proposals

The incentive is aimed at independent outlets not affiliated with major publishing groups. Particular attention is paid to outlets located in disadvantaged or outlying areas

by Camilla Curcio

27 June 2026

6' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

The allocated resources
Requirements, applications and documents required
Eligible expenses
Assessments and payment

6' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

In his famous essay ‘Like a Novel’, Daniel Pennac argues that ‘the verb “to read” does not take the imperative form’. However, to spread a love for reading and to make book culture an increasingly integral part of society, we need active local initiatives. Especially in the most disadvantaged areas. And independent bookshops do this work exceptionally well. Financial support for them is provided by the Ministry of Culture, which recently published online (on its official website and on the page of the Directorate-General for Libraries and Cultural Institutes) the call for applications ‘Bookshops under 35”, which provides for the allocation of a grant of 4 million to facilitate the opening of new bookshops by young people aged 35 or under.

“Encouraging young people to read and to develop a love of books must be a priority for public institutions,” commented the Minister for Culture, Alessandro Giuli. “Our aim, in this regard, is to support those who choose to invest in a profession that is, at once, a cultural endeavour and a civic mission. Guiding young people along this career path, including through targeted support measures and dedicated funding, can represent a tangible opportunity for growth and for strengthening cultural institutions across the country.”

A mission that is also fully supported by Paola Passarelli, Director-General of Libraries and Cultural Institutions. “It is with great satisfaction that this initiative in support of young people and bookshops is being launched,” she said. “A project that aims to support cultural enterprises, with a particular focus on younger audiences. It also seeks to strengthen the presence of bookshops across the country, helping to consolidate the cultural network and to strengthen synergies with the entire book supply chain”.

But let’s try to understand exactly what this is all about.

The allocated resources

The call for applications, which sets out the procedures for submitting applications, the assessment criteria for eligibility for grants and the monitoring procedures provided for in Ministerial Decree 383/2025, governs the allocation of 4 million euros, divided into two areas of intervention:

a) one million is earmarked for initiatives launched after 30 December 2023 in small municipalities (with no more than 5,000 inhabitants) where there are no other bookshops, even if the book trade is not the main activity (it must account for at least 30 per cent of the business’s activities);

b) three million, on the other hand, will be allocated to projects launched after 30 June 2024 or yet to be launched.

Requirements, applications and documents required

Prospective booksellers can now apply. Applications must be submitted via certified email (PEC) only to the following addresses: dg-bic.nuovelibrerie@pec.cultura.gov.it: the deadline is 3.00 pm on 13 September. Applicants must use the forms provided on the Ministry’s and the DGBIC’s websites and, in terms of age requirements, must not have reached the age of thirty-five by 28 December 2024.

To apply for the one-million fund, owners or legal representatives of an independent bookshop that is already established and does not belong to bookshop chains, publishing groups or business groups. The business must have opened after 30 December 2023, provided the shop is located in a small municipality (up to 5,000 residents) where there are no other shops specialising in the sale of books. Furthermore, applicants for the grants must hold Ateco code 47.61 (Retail sale of books) or 47.79.1 (Retail sale of second-hand books) and provide, via the certification of a qualified professional, that, in the premises for which the application is made, the sale of books accounted for at least 30 per cent of total turnover for a minimum period of two months prior to the submission of the application.

The form must be signed with a digital signature and, on pain of exclusion, accompanied by a comprehensive set of documents: business plan in PDF format, not exceeding ten pages; Chamber of Commerce registration certificate; self-certification of VAT registration; self-certification of registration with the INPS traders’ scheme; proof of ownership or a registered tenancy agreement or loan for use agreement for the premises; copy of the SCIA with registration receipt; undertaking not to transfer ownership of the shop and to guarantee its management for at least 24 months from receipt of the grant; self-declaration regarding whether or not state incentives were received in the three years prior to the application; self-declaration confirming that the shop is the only one with ATECO codes authorising the sale of books and other periodicals, newspapers and stationery; sworn statement.

The long list does not end there: you will also need to attach the accounting documentation relating to eligible expenditure.

The 3 million fund, on the other hand, is open to owners or legal representatives of retail outlets (whether already operating or yet to open) that fall within the scope of independent bookshops. The same Ateco codes required for the first tranche of aid apply. Eligible initiatives must have been launched after 30 June 2024 (as evidenced by the submission of the SCIA) or, if not yet launched, the applicant must submit the document to the municipality’s SUAP within 180 days of the date of notification of the outcome of the preliminary assessment.

As for the documents, however, for activities that have already commenced, the list is identical to that required for the first line of action. For those yet to be launched, however, the following must be added – if the relevant documents have not yet been obtained – a commitment to obtain the Chamber of Commerce certificate within 10 days of registration with the Chamber of Commerce and to register with the INPS traders’ scheme; registration of the preliminary contract or submission of the contract for registration by the deadline for the call for applications; a declaration certifying the location of the business in inland or disadvantaged areas, classified as peripheral or ultra-peripheral under the National Strategy for Inland Areas, or situated on the outskirts of the main towns of metropolitan cities. Alternatively, in municipalities without bookshops and libraries open to the public.

Eligible expenses

The non-repayable grant to be awarded will cover expenses up to a maximum of 24,000 euros. The notice also provides for further support of up to 1,000 euros where there are documented expenses for training courses or mentoring activities provided by specialist operators and industry associations.

The applicant’s eligibility will depend not only on their compliance with tax and social security obligations, but also on the quotes or invoices that they must provide, which will prove that payment has been made or provide an estimate of the payment to be made for expenses relating to the refurbishment of the premises, the installation of shelving, the installation of security systems, the setting up of the IT network and digitisation, the management of administrative costs and the organisation of training courses and mentoring sessions.

Verification and payment

The General Directorate will be responsible for reviewing the applications, with the support of the Centre for Books and Reading. The Centre will also be responsible for arranging the disbursement of funds, generally in a single payment, within 30 days of the date of publication of the Directorate’s decision approving the proposed allocation of funds.

For any expenses already incurred and documented, the grants will be paid in full in a single instalment. As regards, however, expenses not yet incurred and supported only by cost estimates, the beneficiary may request the payment, as an advance, of an amount equal to 50 per cent of the total cost estimates submitted (and in any case not exceeding 70 per cent of the approved grant). For activities yet to commence that have received the advance payment, the balance will be paid only after the SCIA has been submitted.

The possibility of follow-up checks cannot be ruled out: the Directorate-General for Libraries may, in fact, ask the local police authorities, via the Mayor, to carry out periodic checks on the actual operation of the sales outlets. In the event of failure to comply with the stated commitment (or failure to meet the requirements), the incentive may be revoked. It may also be revoked, in part, if the expenses incurred are less than the amount received.