Six million euros. This is how much the Ministry for Business and Made in Italy has allocated to consumer associations to support the implementation of initiatives for assistance, information, education, and training of consumers and users.

The Mimit has defined the methods and criteria for submitting applications for contributions, to be submitted by 16 June

The resources available for the initiatives to be implemented in 2025-26 are, in fact, equal to 6 million euros: five destined for initiatives proposed by associations in individual form and one destined for two initiatives proposed in aggregate form, one of which focuses on the theme of artificial intelligence and the other on the theme of consumer credit and the prevention of over-indebtedness.

By way of example, the Ministry informs that the following types of expenditure are eligible for contributions:

  • expenses for employees of the beneficiary entity and of the associations belonging to the aggregation with regard to projects in an aggregate form with a fixed or permanent contract (including professional apprenticeships) employed for the implementation of the proposed activity;
  • expenses for qualified professional consultancy, solely for the in-depth study and development of issues relating to the activities of the admitted initiatives;
  • expense reimbursements for volunteers of the beneficiary entity or participating associations;
  • expenses for machinery, equipment, services: purchase of machinery and equipment strictly necessary for the implementation of the financed activities, including any rental, including through financial leasing (leasing) for the exclusive use of the beneficiary or associations belonging to the aggregation, for the adaptation of existing websites, purchase of communication services, dissemination, production of information material mainly in digital format whose quality and effective reach of consumers is demonstrated, with the exclusion of advertising expenses and expenses for convivial activities even if connected to events;
  • general expenses: planning, secretarial, coordination and reporting expenses, labour consultancy also commissioned to external parties, expenses for issuing guarantees, stationery expenses or subscription/rental of equipment not intended for a specific activity, costs for compulsory insurance for volunteers, use of telephones, faxes, rental of premises, etc., as well as other expenses incurred for the implementation of the activities but not accountable under the items referred to in letters a), b), c), d), determined on a flat-rate basis in the amount of 20% of the costs of the documented eligible expenses.

Enrico Fresu

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