The European Commission has approved an Italian government package of around 150 million euros to support small and medium-sized businesses in the Calabria region in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The measure will be open to SMEs in the region active in all sectors, with the exception of the primary production of agricultural products, fishing and aquaculture. The aim is to support eligible beneficiaries who risk losing financial liquidity due to the rising costs of natural gas and electricity caused by the current geopolitical crisis.
The aid scheme was approved under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State aid, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 to support measures in key sectors to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependency. The aid will take the form of direct grants, which will not exceed 2 million euros per beneficiary and will be awarded by 31 December 2023.