Italy's Next Appennino Program to Boost Economy with €3.8 Billion and 18,000 Jobs in Earthquake-Affected Regions
The Next Appennino program is set to impact Italy's GDP by €3.8 billion and create over 18,000 jobs, focusing on reconstruction in regions affected by earthquakes since 2016, including Abruzzo, Marche, Umbria, and Lazio. The program emphasizes not only construction but also manufacturing, particularly mechanical sectors.
Research contracts exceeding €20 million have been adjusted to encourage smaller enterprises with prototypes ranging from €1.5 to €20 million. Notable entrepreneurial successes include the Petrucci dairy in Amatrice, L:A:S in Corridonia, and the Centauroos startup in Ascoli Piceno, which transforms earthquake debris into urban design elements. The initiative aims to mitigate demographic and industrial decline, with over €1 billion allocated for infrastructure development, including digital connectivity and data centers, alongside €700 million for SMEs and the third sector.
