Call for Proposals for "Culture in Small Towns" Now Open for Projects in Towns with Fewer Than 25,000 Residents

On June 22, 2026, the Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture launched the public call for proposals “Culture in Small Towns” (1st edition), aimed at Italian towns with a population of fewer than 25,000. The initiative is part of national policies for cultural regeneration and territorial development and aims to support projects that highlight the role of culture in fostering social cohesion and local growth.

The call for proposals is sponsored by the Mission Unit for Cultural Cooperation with Africa and the Broader Mediterranean, the Olivetti Plan for Culture, and the Ministry of Culture’s Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity itself, with technical and administrative support from ALES – Arte Lavoro e Servizi S.p.A. The framework of the call for proposals aims to view culture as a tool for strengthening citizen participation, stimulating local innovation, supporting the local economy, and improving the quality of life in communities. The first edition of the initiative provides for a total allocation of 1,445,100 euros. The stated goal is to support the cultural vitality of small Italian municipalities, countering the marginalization of inland areas and promoting more equitable access to cultural activities on a national scale. The program also aims to strengthen the protection of local identity and encourage forms of active civic participation.

Among the main objectives are the enhancement of the tangible and intangible heritage of these territories, the strengthening of local networks, and the promotion of innovative approaches to cultural production and enjoyment with a view toward sustainable and inclusive development. The call for proposals also aims to enhance cultural and environmental resources as drivers of local economic development and to increase employment opportunities in the medium and long term. Another key area of focus is supporting the creation and consolidation of cultural and creative enterprises, with particular attention to models of social and community innovation.

The call for proposals also promotes collaboration among public and private entities, citizens, educational and research institutions, civil society organizations, artists, and professionals from various disciplines, through partnerships and stable local networks. The goal is also to strengthen and integrate the local cultural offering, improving its quality, accessibility, and enjoyment, including through digital tools and new technologies.

Only Italian municipalities with fewer than 25,000 inhabitants, based on ISTAT data as of January 1, 2025, are eligible to participate. Municipal administrations may apply individually or as a group, through networks of municipalities that are already established or to be established, in which case a lead municipality must be designated. Each application must include at least one project partner belonging to specific nonprofit categories, including public administrations and entities, third-sector entities registered with or in the process of registering with the RUNTS—with registration to be finalized by the time the grant is accepted—or associations and committees established in accordance with the Civil Code and possessing a registered articles of incorporation and tax identification number.

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Call for Proposals Portal of the Directorate-General for Contemporary Creativity, the opening date of which will be announced at a later time. The deadline for submitting applications is August 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (Italian time). For further information, please contact the dedicated email address: dg-cc.piccolicomuni@cultura.gov.it.

Call for Proposals for "Culture in Small Towns" Now Open for Projects in Towns with Fewer Than 25,000 Residents

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