In 2024, Italy offers numerous incentives to promote youth entrepreneurship, with subsidized financing, non-repayable contributions and credit support. This guide explores the opportunities available at the national and regional levels, providing a clear picture of how to access these resources.
National Incentives for Youth Entrepreneurship 2024
Let’s start with the list of the main initiatives available at the national level.
1. Rest in the South
“Rest in the South” supports the birth and development of new business activities in the South of Italy, also including the areas of the seismic crater of Central Italy. Aimed at people aged 18 to 55, the measure offers a combination of subsidized bank loans and non-repayable contributions. It is possible to apply through the Invitalia website
.
2. Rest in the South 2.0
“Rest in the South 2.0”, introduced by the Decree-Law of 7 May 2024, is an incentive package for young people under 35 who start a business in Southern Italy. The measure offers vouchers of up to 50,000 euros or non-repayable contributions that cover up to 75% of investments, for a maximum of 200,000
euros.
3. Green and Digital Self-Employment Incentives
The Decree of May 1, 2024 introduces incentives for self-employment in the green and digital sector, for young people under 35. They can receive a monthly contribution of 500 euros and the exemption from paying social security contributions for hiring employees
.
4. Self-Employment Incentives for Businesses in the North Center
Also with the Decree of May 1, 2024, incentives for self-employment have been introduced in Central and Northern Italy, reserved for young people under 35. The benefits include vouchers of up to 40,000 euros or non-repayable contributions of up to 65% of investments, for a maximum
of 200,000 euros.
5. ON — Beyond New Zero-Rate Businesses
This measure combines a non-repayable contribution with zero-interest financing, intended for micro and small businesses composed mainly of young people under 35 or women of any age. The application must be submitted through Invitalia
.
6. Start Cup
The Start Cup is a regional competition that rewards the best innovative start-up projects. Each Italian region organizes an annual call to support the creation of new businesses through training, mentorship and access to incubators
.
7. Smart & Start Italy
“Smart & Start Italia” is a program that supports innovative business projects with investments between 100,000 and 1.5 million euros. The measure is managed by Invitalia
.
8. Culture Create 2.0
“Cultura Crea 2.0” supports the creation of businesses in the tourist-cultural sector in the regions of Southern Italy, with funding and non-repayable contributions.
9. Women’s Business Fund
The Women’s Business Fund supports the creation and consolidation of women-led businesses, with a budget of 200 million euros. The funded initiatives include projects in the sectors of industry, crafts, services, commerce and tourism
.
10. Young Farmers Training Tax Credit
Young farmers under 40 who started their business on 1 January 2021 can benefit from a tax credit equal to 80% of the expenses incurred for training, up to a maximum of 2,500 euros per year.
11. ISMEA Più Impresa 2024 Call
The “ISMEA Più Impresa” call is aimed at young people and women who want to start or expand a farm, with funding of up to 1.5 million euros.
12. Generation Earth
“Generazione Terra” offers financing for the purchase of agricultural land to young people under 35, with amounts of up to 1.5 million euros, managed by ISMEA.
13. Grow up in the South
The “Grow in the South” Fund finances growth projects for SMEs in the South, supporting the development and competitiveness of local businesses.
14. New Call for Agrisolare Park
2024
From September 16, 2024, companies in the South can request incentives for the installation of photovoltaic panels on company roofs, with non-repayable contributions of up to 80%.
Regional Incentives for Youth Entrepreneurship 2024
In addition to national programs, many Italian regions offer specific incentives for young entrepreneurs. Here are a few examples:
1. Friuli Venezia Giulia — SISSI 2.0 Project
This project supports entrepreneurial development among young people, women and the unemployed through orientation and coaching courses.
2. Liguria — Measure 7.2 Youth Guarantee
The call offers zero-interest loans, without guarantees, for the start of new business activities, with amounts between 10,000 and 25,000 euros.
3. Marche — Business Creation
The Marche Region promotes youth self-entrepreneurship with training courses and consultancy for starting new businesses.
4. Puglia — NIDI Fund
The NIDI Fund supports the start-up of microenterprises and associated professional firms with non-repayable contributions and repayable loans.
5. Sicily — Youth Policy Fund
This fund finances youth projects with a regional contribution equal to 100% of the eligible costs, up to 70,000 euros.
6. Tuscany — Water Resources Investments in Agriculture
The Tuscany Region offers contributions to improve the use of water in agriculture, with support of up to 50% for young farmers.
2024 offers a wide range of opportunities for young entrepreneurs in Italy, both nationally and regionally. Taking advantage of these incentives can make a difference in the creation and development of your business. Stay updated on new calls and initiatives to seize all available opportunities
.