The Lombardy Region's measures to support the economic-productive world

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - The Lombardy Region is continuing with its strategy to support businesses, putting in place measures and opportunities in favour of the economic-productive fabric. At www.imprese.regione.lombardia.it it is possible to consult the measures currently open, promoted by the Regional Department for Economic Development and aimed at supporting investments and competitiveness.

"The Region is an ally of businesses, our aim is to accompany their development so that the Lombardy system can confirm and strengthen its socio-economic primacy at national and European level. We are the leading manufacturing region in Europe and we want to continue to be so, even in a difficult international context characterised by geopolitical uncertainties," explained Guido Guidesi, Councillor for Economic Development, pointing out that the Region's commitment is based on the principle that "supporting businesses means supporting work. Our role is to facilitate companies in all sectors, especially micro and small and medium-sized enterprises, as much as possible, creating the conditions for them to achieve their goals as quickly as possible'.

Specifically, the package of initiatives includes the 'New Enterprise 2025' call for proposals, recently refinanced with regional resources, which aims to support the start-up of new companies and self-entrepreneurship, including self-employment with individual VAT numbers, through the disbursement of non-repayable contributions on the costs associated with the creation of new enterprises: the telematic window for applications is open until 15 January 2026. Added to this is the 'New Enterprise for Small Municipalities and Hamlets' measure, available from September. The Lombardy Region provides non-repayable grants to encourage the opening of food and essential goods shops in small municipalities and hamlets, where there are none. The facilitation consists in the granting of non-repayable capital resources up to 80% of the expenditure deemed eligible: the contribution may not exceed the maximum limit of EUR 40,000. Projects must provide for a minimum investment of €3,000. Only one application may be admitted for each small municipality and each hamlet that has been deprived of fixed premises retail trade activities of foodstuffs and basic necessities for at least six months.

Microcredit for small and medium-sized enterprises and the self-employed' is also available to support business investments. While on the subject of innovation, 'Lombardia Venture' is available to facilitate access to risk capital by innovative companies in Lombardy, particularly start-ups and scale-ups, to foster the development of critical technologies. As far as start-ups are concerned, the Region promotes competitions that enhance projects and facilitate meetings with potential investors: 'Start Cup Lombardia' implemented in collaboration with the university system (applications until 5 September 2025) is flanked by two sector competitions such as 'Green Chemistry Lombardy' (applications until 11 September 2025) and 'Sustainable and Safe Building' (applications until 5 September 2025). For the consolidation and strengthening of companies, the Region is making various initiatives available: among these is "Quota Lombardia", which supports small and medium-sized enterprises that have embarked on or are about to embark on a path of capitalisation through listing on multilateral trading systems (applications until 30 December 2027).

Moreover, the Lombardy Region, thanks to the effective use of European funds, offers tools such as the 'Company Development Line' to support production expansion and modernisation plans and the 'Efficient Companies' line, which aims to encourage investment in the energy efficiency of companies, through the adaptation or renewal of production facilities, including the use of renewable energy, in order to reduce environmental impact, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; still on the subject of EU funds, we find the 'Basket Bond Lombardia' to facilitate access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (applications up to 29 May 2026). Also financed with European resources are the instruments that help Lombardy's enterprises to conquer foreign markets or consolidate their presence on the global scene: from the 'Verso Nuovi Mercati' measure, which supports internationalisation plans (applications up to 9 September 2025) to the 'Contributi per la partecipazione delle micro, piccole e medie imprese in forma aggregata' ('Grants for the participation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in an aggregate form'), which provides non-repayable grants for SMEs that intend to develop and consolidate their position on the international market through participation in an aggregate form in international trade fairs.