MiBACT launches €750K fund for cultural festivals in Italian small towns

The Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Tourism (MiBACT) has launched 'Borghi in Festival', a public call for proposals allocating €750,000 to support cultural festivals in small towns (borghi). The initiative, under the Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity and the Directorate General for Tourism, aims to regenerate these areas through culture, tourism, and social-economic development. Eligible municipalities are those with up to 5,000 residents, or up to 10,000 if they identify a historic center as a homogeneous zone. Municipalities may apply individually (max €75,000) or in networks (max €250,000). Projects can include meetings, seminars, workshops, training, digital platforms, exhibitions, and intergenerational events. The deadline is January 15, 2021. Winning festivals must take place between April and July 2021. The call will be published by mid-November 2020. Undersecretary Anna Laura Orrico emphasized the goal of creating a network of best practices, while Tourism Undersecretary Lorenza Bonaccorsi highlighted sustainability and post-pandemic tourism appeal.