Things
Law 30 December 2021, n. 234, containing "State budget forecast for the financial year 2022 and multi-year budget for the three-year period 2022-2024", in consideration of the significant impact linked to the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19 and the needs to protect and relaunch the production chain of the Prato industrial district, attributed to the Municipality of Prato an extraordinary contribution of 10 million euros for the economic support of companies in the textile sector of the Prato industrial district - as identified by the Tuscany Region with resolution 21 February 2000, n. 69 – for collective studies, research and supply chain projects. With a decree adopted on 5 August 2022 by the Minister of Economic Development, in agreement with the Minister of Economy and Finance, the methods for disbursing the contribution, criteria for the selection of financeable programs and activities, eligible expenses as well as methods were defined. verification, control and reporting of expenses incurred using the same contribution. Pursuant to art. 3 of the decree the financial allocation referred to in Law no. 234/2021 is distributed as follows: – 8 million euros for direct contributions to businesses, to be assigned through specific tenders; – 2 million euros for the implementation of system projects of interest to the district. The Municipality of Prato has identified the Pistoia-Prato Chamber of Commerce as the entity managing the public tenders for the granting of contributions to companies referred to in the aforementioned Decree. With notice approved with Resolution of the Chamber of Commerce no. 75/23 of 20 July 2023, the terms and methods for submitting grant applications were defined, as well as further elements useful for the correct implementation of the interventions, with reference to a second tranche of benefits for a maximum amount of 2,500,000 euros aimed at improvement of the socio-environmental sustainability of production and/or the technological and digital transformation of the company.
Who is it aimed at?
Companies operating in the textile sector which are part of the Prato industrial district.
What does it predict
The measure is aimed at promoting the implementation of projects aimed at the creation of investment programs that include one or more of the lines of intervention indicated below: a) basic digitalisation - implementation of technological solutions aimed at promoting a first step towards the digitalisation of company processes and/or products (interventions admissible only if preparatory and combined with one or more advanced digitalisation interventions); b) advanced digitalisation – introduction/implementation of at least one of the enabling technologies identified by the tender; c) ecological and just transition – implementation of interventions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of processing; obtaining/renewing voluntary certifications in environmental and/or social matters; interventions aimed at supporting the process of aligning company systems with ESG standards. The benefits, in the form of a non-repayable contribution, are granted in an amount not exceeding 50% of the eligible expenses. The benefits are granted pursuant to and in compliance with Regulation 18 December 2013, n. 1407/2013/EU, relating to the application of articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to "de minimis" aid and subsequent amendments. Upon expiry of the Regulation, the subsequent similar Regulation, issued on the same subject, applies.
