(Rome, 25 May 2026) The Lazio Region is launching a new tender worth €9.5 million to support Business Networks in the local retail sector. The announcement, available from 26 May 2026 in the Official Bulletin of the Lazio Region, was presented by the Vice President and Councillor for Economic Development, Roberta Angelilli. Also present Federico Palla, Director-General of Anci Lazio, representing local authorities, confirming the central role of municipalities in the implementation of the measure.
It is the Municipalities — and the Municipal Districts of Rome Capital — that present the Network Programmes to access funding, coordinating the aggregation of businesses in commerce, crafts and services within their own territory. From 2023 to today, this approach has already produced concrete results: 158 network programmes funded across 121 local authorities, with a total investment of 25 million euros by the Region.
The contributions are calibrated to the demographic size of the Municipalities presenting the programme, with amounts ranging from €50,000 for the smallest Municipalities up to €100,000 for Rome Capital, provincial capitals, and Municipalities with over 50,000 inhabitants. Larger Municipalities also have the possibility to present up to two distinct programmes, provided they are on non-overlapping territorial areas.
To access funding, the Networks must achieve a minimum threshold of adhering economic activities – from 15 for smaller Municipalities to 30 for larger ones – and structure the programme around three pillars: territorial promotion and communication; enhancement of commercial offerings and digitalisation; redevelopment of public spaces and urban animation. There is also provision for supply chain Networks, involving at least three neighbouring Municipalities.