Sardinia launches €30M fund for villages: restoration, accessibility

Sardinia launches €30M fund for villages: restoration, accessibility and digital upgrades

The Regional Government of Sardinia has approved the investment programme called "Tourism in Villages" and opened a public call allocating a total of €30 million to municipalities and local authorities for cultural heritage projects. Part of the FSC 2021-2027 framework, the initiative intends to boost the appeal of certified villages by improving accessibility, environmental sustainability and off-season tourism.

The funding is split into two lines: Line 1 (€5 million) exclusively for libraries; Line 2 (€25 million) for immovable and movable cultural assets, archaeological sites, monumental complexes, museums and archives. Regional contributions range from a minimum of €150,000 to a maximum of €1,000,000 per project and can cover up to 100% of eligible costs.

• Eligible actions: safety works and restoration, accessibility and visitor facilities upgrades, technological innovation (photovoltaic systems, multimedia exhibits, artistic lighting).
• Not eligible: ordinary maintenance, building new museums or libraries from scratch (except functional units for existing sites), interventions on parish properties or premises used for accommodation.
• Who can apply: Municipalities, Provinces, Metropolitan Cities, Unions of Municipalities and Mountain Communities in Sardinia (with specific territorial exclusions for Line 2 already benefiting from other funding).
• Deadlines: applications by 12 May via the online Sipes system; eligible expenses from 1 January 2021; project completion and expense admissibility by 31 December 2030.

Regional officials say the programme aims to both safeguard artistic and historical assets and to generate job opportunities, helping to counteract village depopulation. Applicants must access the platform with SPID, CIE or CNS credentials. Further information and official clarifications will be published on the Region's institutional channels; formal notices will be sent via the PEC indicated in the call.