A regional fund to restore and preserve Sardinia's historic rural landscapes, providing resources to municipalities and prioritizing regional calls for projects in recognized areas.

These are the tools envisaged in the bill submitted to the Regional Council, first signed by Camilla Soru, and endorsed by councilors from the Democratic Party-Progressives group in the Regional Council. The bill provides for a total allocation of €2.6 million over the three-year period 2026–2028.

"The rural landscapes we have inherited are the result of centuries of work: farming, building dry stone walls, maintaining terraces, managing water. Their preservation depends on the possibility of continuing that work," says Soru. "That's why we propose to accompany the recognition of their value with concrete tools for the territories and for those who continue to cultivate them."

Camilla Soru

The proposal applies to Sardinian landscapes listed in the National Register of Rural Landscapes of Historical Interest and also includes technical assistance to support new applications.

The regional fund will have an allocation of €200,000 for 2026 and €1.2 million for each of 2027 and 2028. The resources will be allocated to the interested municipalities in proportion to the utilized agricultural area included in the recognized landscapes. They will be able to finance the restoration of dry stone walls, terraces, and traditional water management systems, the redevelopment of abandoned areas, and collective conservation and enhancement projects.

"Those who maintain traditional crops and practices may face higher costs and lower revenues. The value of that work, however, concerns the entire community: it contributes to soil care, biodiversity, and the prevention of landslides and fires," Soru continues. "The proposal therefore also indicates a direction for the programming of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2027: providing specific interventions that support farmers and compensate for the increased costs and lost income associated with conservation commitments."

The text also promotes the transmission of agricultural knowledge and ancient crafts, the valorization of local products, and the development of rural and experiential tourism itineraries, involving businesses, local authorities, and communities.

"The abandonment of the countryside brings with it the loss of production, knowledge, and care for the land. With this proposal, we want to give small towns and rural communities tools to protect their heritage and create new employment and income opportunities," concludes Soru.

(Unioneonline)

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