PNRR, Agnelli Foundation: the education plan is gaining momentum but is not making up for lost ground

In the latter part of 2025 and early 2026, the NRRP for Education showed an acceleration compared with previous months, but remains significantly behind schedule – a gap that appears very difficult to close as the plan’s deadline approaches. This is highlighted in a study carried out by the Agnelli Foundation based on the most up-to-date public data (26 February 2026) published by the Government on the ‘Italia Domani’ platform. According to the data published on the platform, the percentage of expenditure incurred, relative to the funding allocated through European funds for childcare services, schools and universities has risen overall to 45.6 per cent, an increase of 9 percentage points compared with the previous update in October 2025 (36.6 per cent).

The most significant increase in PNRR spending on education has been in school building projects, which accounted for a total of 52 per cent of the funds received. “There has undoubtedly been progress in recent months,” comments Andrea Gavosto, director of the Agnelli Foundation, “and further progress can be expected over the final four months of the Plan. We are also aware that there are delays in reporting expenditure on projects that have already been completed. However, it is reasonable to assume that many important projects will not be completed within the agreed timeframe. I am thinking, amongst other measures, of the construction of new innovative schools and initiatives to increase places in nurseries, which had already been significantly scaled back in a revision of the Plan requested by the Italian Government from the EU.”