Green light from the European Commission for a 150 million euro Italian state aid scheme to support small and medium-sized businesses in Calabria in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The aid takes the form of direct grants to address the loss of financial liquidity due to rising costs of natural gas and electricity.
The Italian scheme will be open to Calabrian SMEs active in all sectors, with the exception of primary production of agricultural products, fishing and aquaculture.
Brussels considered that the Italian regime is in line with the conditions established in the temporary crisis and transition framework and deemed it “necessary, appropriate and proportionate”. In particular, the aid will not exceed 2 million euros per beneficiary and will be granted by 31 December 2023.
