Lombardy: €3 million from the Region to support innovation in cultural enterprises.

The Lombardy Region confirms its commitment to supporting the cultural sector, announcing the second edition of the “InnovaCultura” call, a strategic intervention that makes available 3 million euro to promote innovative projects and growth paths throughout the regional cultural sector.

The measure, proposed by theCouncilor for Culture Francesca Caruso and financed through the ERDF Regional Programme 2021–2027, involves a broad spectrum of realities: cultural and creative enterprises, museums and museum systems, libraries, Archives, ecomuseums, UNESCO heritage, non-state monumental complexes e archaeological areas.

The initiative is the result of collaboration between Lombardy region, Cariplo Foundation e Unioncamere Lombardia.

Councilor Caruso underlines the importance of investment: «With the second edition of InnovaCultura We confirm our commitment to a sector that represents excellence, identity, and growth in Lombardy. The results of the first edition demonstrate how synergy between institutions, businesses, and museums can generate highly valuable projects. Supporting culture means investing in the future of our region.

Grants up to 70% and projects worth at least €50.000

The tender includes: non-repayable contribution up to 70% of eligible expenses; minimum investment of 50.000 euros for each project; Maximum grant available: €200.000.

Concrete support to foster innovation, skills, digitalization, and new forms of cultural enjoyment.

Fundable interventions

The call focuses on projects with a high technological and creative content, with a focus on modernization of the cultural offering.

Among the lines of intervention:

• Digital and accessible use of heritage
  Online platforms, immersive content, virtual tours, and multimedia tools available before, during, and after your visit.

• Augmented Cultural Experiences (AR/VR)
  Augmented, virtual, and mixed reality to enhance the relationship between audiences and cultural content, both in person and remotely.

• Participation and active involvement
  Interactive platforms, gamification, and social media engagement tools to make the public the protagonist of the cultural process.

• Connected cultural ecosystems
  Projects that digitally unite institutions, artists and visitors, creating real virtual cultural networks.

• New communication strategies
  Podcasts, video storytelling, innovative digital languages, content generated with artificial intelligence.

Eligible Expenditures

Eligible costs include: project development personnel; external professional services; purchase of tools, software, and equipment; and required surety bonds and coverage.

The official publication of the call on the regional portal Notices and Services is expected in the next few weeks.