In 2024, several national and regional initiatives were implemented to support female entrepreneurship in Italy. These incentives aim to promote self-employment and the start of business activities through subsidized financing, non-repayable contributions and other forms of economic support, specifically aimed at women who wish to start or develop their
own business.
In this constantly updated guide, we review the opportunities available and the ways to access them.
National Incentives for Women’s Entrepreneurship in 2024
Here is the list of the main national measures active in 2024, accessible to female entrepreneurs from all over Italy:
1) Equal Opportunity Guarantee Fund
The Equal Opportunity Guarantee Fund is a special section within the Central Guarantee Fund for SMEs, dedicated to supporting women’s and professional businesses. It offers risk coverage on guarantee transactions on favorable terms.
2) Subsidized Financing up to 90%
With the Made in Italy bill for women’s entrepreneurship, women-owned businesses can access subsidized financing with coverage of up to 90% for investment projects of up to 3 million euros. The measure is aimed at newly established or expanding companies.
3) ON Beyond New Zero-Rate Businesses
This incentive combines a non-repayable contribution and zero-interest financing, intended for micro and small businesses composed mainly of women of any age. It supports investment projects for new business initiatives or for the development of existing activities
.
4) Smart and Start Italia
Smart and Start Italia is a national call that supports the creation of innovative start-ups, with particular attention to women’s businesses. It finances projects with spending plans between 100,000 euros and 1.5 million euros
.
5) Invitalia Innovative Women’s Startups Award
This award, established by Invitalia, offers a grant of 30,000 euros to the best innovative female start-ups that participate in the National Innovation Award. It is aimed at companies that offer innovative business models with a high social impact
.
6) Freedom’s Microcredit
The Freedom Microcredit is intended for women who have suffered violence and want to start a business. It offers zero-interest loans of up to 50,000 euros, with the assistance of a microcredit tutor for the definition of the business project
.
7) Innovative Mountain Women’s Enterprises
This incentive is aimed at innovative female start-ups located in mountain municipalities. Businesses must consist predominantly of women and can receive subsidized funding to support
investments in innovation.
Regional Incentives for Women’s Entrepreneurship 2024
In addition to national initiatives, many Italian regions offer specific calls to support female entrepreneurship. Below is a summary of the main regional incentives active in 2024
:
1) Friuli Venezia Giulia — S.I.S.S.I. 2.0 Project
The S.I.S.S.I. 2.0 Project offers orientation and coaching courses for the development of entrepreneurial skills, aimed at women, young people and disadvantaged categories. The initiative also includes training and support for the creation of start-ups
.
2) Friuli Venezia Giulia — Call for Women’s SMEs
The Call for Women’s SMEs of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region offers non-repayable contributions for women’s business projects. Companies registered for less than 36 months can obtain up to 50% of the eligible expenditure, with contributions between 2,500
and 30,000 euros.
3) Lazio — Made in Rome Women’s Business Call
The Made in Rome Women’s Business Call offers non-repayable contributions of up to 80,000 euros for micro and small female businesses in the Roman territory. It covers up to 70% of eligible costs and aims to support the development of local businesses
.
Updates on Regional Calls in Other Regions
At the moment, there are no specific calls available in other regions such as Basilicata, Campania, Piedmont, and others. However, we continue to monitor the opening of new regional initiatives for women’s entrepreneurship. Women residing in these regions can still access national calls
.
2024 presents itself as a year full of opportunities for female entrepreneurship in Italy. Between national calls and regional incentives, women entrepreneurs have different options available to start or expand their businesses. For more details, it is always advisable to consult the websites of the competent administrations and follow the deadlines of
the calls.