PNRR allocates €420 million to 21 Italian villages for cultural and economic revival

The Italian Ministry of Culture, under Minister Dario Franceschini, has launched the first phase of the National Villages Plan (Piano Nazionale Borghi) as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). A total of €420 million will be distributed among 21 selected villages, one per region, each receiving €20 million. The initiative aims to revitalize depopulated or declining areas by funding projects focused on cultural heritage restoration, tourism, social services, and research infrastructure. The selection was made by regions and autonomous provinces from 1,800 applications. A second phase will allocate €580 million to at least 229 additional villages through a public notice to municipalities. Franceschini emphasized the importance of broadband connectivity to enable remote work and sustainable growth. The selected villages include Rocca Calascio (Abruzzo), Monticchio Bagni (Basilicata), Gerace (Calabria), Sanza (Campania), Campolo (Emilia Romagna), Borgo Castello (Friuli Venezia Giulia), Treviniano (Lazio), Borgo Castello (Liguria), Livemmo (Lombardy), Montalto delle Marche (Marche), Pietrabbondante (Molise), Elva (Piedmont), Accadia (Puglia), Ulassai (Sardinia), Borgo a Cunziria (Sicily), Borgo di Castelnuovo in Avane (Tuscany), Cesi (Umbria), Fontainemore (Aosta Valley), Recoaro Terme (Veneto), Palù del Fersina (Trento), and Stelvio (Bolzano). On May 28–29, FAI will collaborate with the 21 villages to showcase their stories and territories.