A 37.2 million euro intervention to encourage the demographic rebirth of the rural villages of the internal areas of Sicily. The Department of Family and Social Policies has published on the institutional website of the Region the notice for the expression of interest addressed to the 155 Municipalities of the 11 Internal Areas of Sicily. The initiative, of an experimental nature, aims to combat depopulation and promote the sustainable development of internal areas and small Sicilian villages. The resources come from the ESF+ 2021-2027.
«It is an important intervention, from a financial point of view, but with a strong social impact – says the President of the Region Renato Schifani, who has taken on the interim role of Councilor for the Family – we aim to reverse the trend of depopulation of the internal Sicilian areas, also revitalizing them on an economic level. A virtuous use of European resources which will have a widespread positive impact on the territory and the economy, involving hitherto marginal areas. Sicily was the first region of Italy to have included this axis of the ESF+ in the 2021-27 programming to which the European institutions also attributed great importance”. Municipalities must respond and accept the expression of interest within 60 days. The intervention will be coordinated by the Department of Family and Social Policies with the participation of the Department of Labor.
The 11 Areas identified by the National Strategy for Internal Areas (Snai) 2021-2027 include municipalities that cover approximately 40% of the regional surface area, with a total population of over 650,000 inhabitants (equal to 13% of the regional total). They are territories with different characteristics and problems, but united by the need for new cohesion and development policies. The planned actions concern microcredit for local businesses and start-ups; the strengthening of services for families and communities; the involvement of young people and the integration of migrant families. The recipients of the activities will be 670 people, belonging to families who will choose to reside in the municipalities of the internal areas.