Italy's Ministry of Culture selects 3,127 businesses to revive 294 historic villages

Italy's Ministry of Culture has published the ranking of proposals admitted under the Imprese Borghi call, part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, allocating around €200 million to regenerate 294 historic villages across the country. The initiative aims to prevent depopulation by supporting economic-productive recovery through 3,127 selected businesses—ranging from bars and farms to laundries and country clubs—that provide services to locals and tourists and promote environmental sustainability projects such as emission reduction, waste management, and circular economy. Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano stated the goal is to "prevent depopulation and give a new soul to these places." Villages include Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia (L'Aquila), Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa in the Dolomiti Lucane, Montecreto (Modena), and Sutrio (Udine). Resources will be assigned to individual projects until funds are exhausted, based on scores.