Cultural Olympics: 16 projects funded in Lombardy, the first events are underway in view of Milano-Cortina 2026

The Lombardy region finances 16 projects for the Cultural Olympics, an initiative that promotes cultural events in view of the Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. With a total endowment of 3 million euros, the call supports events that celebrate Lombard traditions, art and history.. The second application window will be open from March 3 to April 3, 2025

There are 16 projects admitted to funding for the 'Cultural Olympics', for a contribution of 1,5 million euros. The results of the first window of the call, which has a total financial endowment of 3 million euros, have been published in the Official Bulletin of the Lombardy Region.
The initiative aims to promote quality cultural events both in the run-up to the 2026 Winter Games and during their implementation.. The contribution was open to institutions, associations, foundations and other private law entities, non-profit and with consolidated experience in the cultural field, active throughout the Lombardy region. The selected projects combine Lombard tradition and culture with the history of the Games, encouraging the involvement of the territories and citizens.

"The 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games - declared theRegional Councillor for Culture, Francesca Caruso - represent an extraordinary opportunity to promote Lombardy's heritage. For the first time we are organizing the Cultural Olympics and, through these initiatives, we want to enhance the traditions and cultural identities of our region. Alongside sport, the funded events will enhance art, history, culture, community participation, promoting healthy lifestyles and environmental, economic and social sustainability. The Olympics will attract many tourists, including from abroad, and the Lombardy Region intends to prepare as best as possible, working in close harmony with the Foundation Milano Cortina".

The second window of the call will open from 3 March to 3 April 2025 and will be dedicated to cultural initiatives that will take place in proximity to the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.The events will have to enrich the cultural offering of the Olympic territories which include the competition venues and the surrounding areas along the axis Milano-Valtellina.

Below, the funded projects, divided by province

BERGAMO
-The Blank. Bergamo Contemporary Art-Aps; project title: 'Trails, signs and memories of the mountains. The cabin of memories'. Grant awarded: 88.840 euros.
-Albino; ​​project title: 'The Olympic Village of Libraries'. Grant granted: 100.000 euros.
BRESCIA
-Il Telaio – Social Cooperative Society Onlus; project title: 'What a spectacle the Olympics are!'. Grant awarded: 100.000 euros.
-Pietro Malossi Foundation; project title: 'Olimpiarte: a competition of styles! Traveling festival of inclusive play in the territories of Ospitaletto, Ome, Londrino'. Grant awarded: 93.733 euros.
-Brescia Museums Foundation; project title: 'The athlete's victory'. Grant awarded: 90.000 euros.
COMO
-Italian Opera and Concert Association AS.LI.CO; project title: 'The mountain takes the stage: culture and the Olympics: a combination of inclusion and sustainability'. Grant awarded: 100.000 euros.
MANTOVA
-Signs of Childhood Artistic and Cultural Association; project title: 'Team play 12 months of cultural events in Lombardy towards Milano Cortina 2026, to educate new generations to peace and collaboration through culture and sport'. Grant awarded: 100.000 euros.

MILAN
-Meet Digital Communication srl Social Enterprise; project title: 'Olympic Visions'. Grant granted: 100.000 euros.
-Foundation Museum of Contemporary Photography; project title: 'Alpine Sceneries. Landscapes and Communities of Lombardy Between Traditions and the Future'. Grant awarded: 98.490 euros.
-Casa Testori Cultural Association; project title: 'never alone'. Grant awarded: 100.000 euros.
-Catholic Association of Cinema Operators – ACEC – Diocese of Milano; project title: 'The Cultural Olympics in the Communities'. Grant awarded: 73.000 euros.
-Teatro della Cooperativa Association; project title: 'Fair play. When the going gets tough'. Grant awarded: 98.000 euros.
-Legnano; project title: 'Actively'. Grant awarded: 100.000 euros.

PAVIA
-Municipality of Pavia; project title: 'The Viscontis between chess and sports in the castle and in the Visconti park'. Grant awarded: 98.000 euros.

SONDRIO
-Orchestra Antonio Vivaldi; project title: 'Olympics 2026: A Bridge Between Peoples and Cultures'. Grant awarded: 85.937 euros.

VARESE
-National Award 'Visual Arts City of Gallarate'; project title: 'Moving Horizons. 28th Edition of the Gallarate Prize between Past and Future'. Grant awarded: 74.000 euros.