L'Aquila Capital of Culture: delays in 'Restart' grants risk excluding

L'Aquila Capital of Culture: delays in 'Restart' grants risk excluding crater municipalities

Concerns have emerged about the organisation of L'Aquila Italian Capital of Culture 2026. Stefano Albano, group leader of the Democratic Party in the city council, says that more than two months after the inauguration (17 January) the Restart calls intended for projects in the surrounding municipalities and for local associations have not yet been published.

Albano pointed to two funding streams still pending: Filone C, aimed at initiatives in the crater municipalities, and Filone B2, intended for local associations outside the main institutional networks. He warned that the absence of open calls and a widespread programme risks concentrating activity in the city and leaving the wider territory on the sidelines.

Key issues raised include:

• slow publication and selection processes, which could mean results arrive after the Capital of Culture year;
• a 50% co‑funding requirement that may be burdensome for small organisations;
• insufficient grassroots participation from crater municipalities that hold important cultural and identity assets.

To clarify the situation, Albano has filed an urgent request to convene the Third Council Commission, inviting the mayor and the responsible official (Fabio De Paulis) to explain the timelines and procedures for the calls and the steps planned to broaden participation. Without corrective measures, the programme risks missing opportunities for local development and for valorising the territory’s cultural heritage.

Cultural operators and associations are now calling for transparent timelines, measures to ease the co‑funding burden (advances, administrative simplifications) and an operational plan that actively involves the crater municipalities, focusing on sustainable projects with lasting impact.