MiniPIA – Integrated  Incentives Packages
(National JTF Programme 2021-2027 – Territorial Plan for the Province of Taranto)

Overview

Regione Puglia, the regional government, has created a set of business incentive schemes that offer generous funding for investors, making Puglia one of the best places to start, finance and expand a business in Europe. MINIPIA TARANTO (INTEGRATED INCENTIVES PACKAGES TARANTO) is one of the business incentive schemes, managed by the regional finance agency Puglia Sviluppo S.p.A., operating on an open window for applications basis, starting from 05/07/2025.
This information sheet provides an introduction to the business incentive scheme MINIPIA TARANTO (INTEGRATED INCENTIVES PACKAGES TARANTO), designed specifically for SMEs micro and small enterprises intending to carry out investment projects to set-up new businesses, expand or diversify existing business operations in the Province of Taranto, in line with the objectives of the Just Transition Fund – Territorial Plan for the Province of Taranto.
Please note that the information provided is purely indicative and may be subject to change. 
For full details on the PIA Taranto incentive scheme, please refer to the Public Notice: 

• as published in the Official Bulletin of Regione Puglia (B.U.R.P.) n. 4, dated 4th July 2025;
• available on the official website of Regione Puglia at:

https://www.regione.puglia.it/web/competitivita-e-innovazione/-/avviso-pubblico-pacchetti-integrati-di-agevolazione-taranto-mini-pia-taranto

What is the National JTF Programme 2021-2027 – Territorial Plan for the Province of Taranto

The "Integrated Incentives Packages Taranto - PIA TARANTO" incentive scheme is implemented with resources allocated from the National JTF (Just Transition Fund) Programme for Italy 2021-2027, a financial instrument which aims to provide support to territories facing serious socio-economic challenges arising from the transition towards climate neutrality.
In this context, Taranto represents one of the areas most affected by the transition due to its dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas-intensive industrial processes. For this reason, Regione Puglia, through the Territorial Plan of the Province of Taranto, is focusing resources on initiatives for a just transition through economic diversification, professional retraining, and environmental remediation. The Plan also intends to contribute to the development of new strategic technological supply chains, in line with the objectives of diversification of the local economy. The MINIPIA TARANTO Notice implements the Territorial Plan, establishing the specific criteria and procedures for granting incentives to micro and small enterprises, intending to launch investment programmes that involve a broad approach to innovation, integrating various actions across multiple company areas. In line with the objectives of the JTF, MiniPIA Taranto programmes should aim to contribute to the diversification of the local economy, focusing on sustainability, the circular economy, and mitigating the effects of the 
transition.

Who can apply: beneficiaries

a) Micro enterprises;
b) Small enterprises, including enterprises defined as medium-sized, based exclusively on participations;
c) Freelance professionals;
d) enterprises, associated in business networks or consortiums, including medium-sized enterprises, provided that a majority of micro or small businesses is guaranteed, both in terms of numbers and in terms of shares in the network capital/consortium fund (for investment programmes other than capital investments).
(For further information on eligible beneficiaries, please refer to the MINIPIA TARANTO public notice).

Eligible investment programmes

The MINIPIA TARANTO (INTEGRATED INCENTIVES PACKAGES TARANTO) funding scheme supports investment programmes to be carried out by enterprises already located in the Province of Taranto or intending to locate in the area, relating to:
- the setting-up of new business units;
- the expansion of existing business units;
- business diversification and the development of new products or business services, not previously available from the existing business units;
- fundamental changes to business processes or product innovation within the business units involved. 

MINIPIA TARANTO investment programmes involve: 
a) capital investments
which must be integrated with investments for 
b) innovation projects in areas involving new technologies, business strategy, organization and 
management
and may be integrated with additional investments in:
c) training initiatives
d) environmental protection measures
e) business consultancy services and international business promotion initiatives, including the participation 
in trade fairs.

Eligible sectors

MINIPIA TARANTO investment programmes must be related to the sectors indicated in Appendix 3 of the MINIPIA TARANTO public notice, based on the Economic Activities Classification - ATECO 2007 – updated 2025. 
In brief, eligible sectors include the manufacturing sector, waste treatment activities, various service industries, professional, scientific and education services sectors (exclusions apply).
(For further information on eligible industry sectors, please refer to the MINIPIA TARANTO public notice).

Investment limits 

The MINIPIA TARANTO (INTEGRATED INCENTIVES PACKAGES TARANTO) scheme provides funding for investment 
programmes with overall minimum eligible expenditure of € 30,000.00 and overall maximum eligible 
expenditure of € 5,000,000.00. The investment limit, in terms of maximum eligible costs for capital investments is fixed at no more than 90% of the overall value of the investment programme.
Moreover, investment limits, in terms of maximum eligible costs for the other areas of investment, are fixed 
at:

• € 1,000,000.00 for innovation by SMEs
• € 1,000,000.00 for business process and organizational innovation;
• € 500,000.00 for training initiatives;
• € 3,000,000.00 for environmental protection initiatives
• € 500,000.00 for business consultancy services and international business promotion initiatives, in addition to up to € 500,000.00 for the participation in trade fairs;
• between € 500,000.00 and € 2,000,000.00 for investment programmes by business networks/consortiums.

Eligible expenditure

Eligible investment costs refer primarily to:

• tangible assets, including: land purchase, construction works (including property purchase) and similar, machinery and production plant facilities, office furniture and commercial vehicles, feasibility studies and planning costs;
• intangible assets, including: software licenses or development, acquisition of operating licenses and patents, patented or unpatented technologies and know-how;
• environmental protection initiatives, involving measures for improving energy efficiency and/or introducing clean hydrogen or high-yield renewable energy production systems for self-generation and consumption.
  

Eligible operating costs are related to the following categories:

• training costs relating to employees, involved in the investment project, for courses covering areas identified by the Regional Smart Specialisation Strategy (such as open innovation, digitalization, innovation management, circular economy, international business promotion);
• consultancy services for the development of new products and business processes, including technical assistance for supporting innovation, technological transfer and digital strategies, new e-commerce sites, e-business, secure payment and data management systems, marketing strategies and international business promotion plans, product certification, environmental certification, corporate social responsibility management and ethical and social reporting;
• costs for the participation in trade fairs and related business events, including temporary showrooms in Italy or abroad for international business promotion.
  

Levels of funding available 

The MINIPIA (INTEGRATED INCENTIVES PACKAGES) scheme provides significant levels of funding for eligible investment programmes. The levels of funding available, within the limits indicated in the MINIPIA TARANTO
public notice, are based on the type of investment as follows: 

• Capital investments: 
  - 65-70% of eligible costs for micro and small enterprises;
  - 55-60% of eligible costs for small enterprises, defined as “medium-sized” on the basis of company participations;
  
• Investments for innovation, including business process and organizational innovation: 50% of eligible costs;
• Investments for training initiatives: 
  - 70% of eligible costs for micro and small enterprises;
  - 60% of eligible costs for small enterprises, defined as “medium-sized” on the basis of company participations;
  
• Investments for environmental protection measures

- 65% of eligible costs for micro and small enterprises;

- 55% of eligible costs for small enterprises, defined as “medium-sized” on the basis of company participations;

• Investments in business consultancy services and international business promotion initiatives: 50% of 
  eligible costs.

All of the above levels of available funding, depending on the limits indicated in the MINIPIA TARANTO public 
notice, are made up of 3 components, of variable intensity:

• a non-refundable grant payment: 30-50%, depending on the size of the enterprise and the type of investment;
• a subsidy payment, based on the total repayable interest on a loan granted by a financial intermediary: 10%;
• a quota of the gross grant equivalent (GGE) relating to guarantee, counter-guarantee, co-guarantee and reinsurance operations for the financial loan: 10%.

How to apply 

Applications must be submitted online, in Italian, through the platform PugliaSemplice: https://pugliasemplice.sistema.puglia.it following the procedure in the dedicated section “MINIPIA TARANTO” On submitting an application, a protocol number will be assigned. The application should then be forwarded to the financial intermediary: at this stage, the platform will generate a CUP (Unique Project Code), after which the investment programme may commence. The CUP must be quoted in all of the invoices and administrative documentation related to costs and expenses for investments included in the MINIPIA Taranto programme. 
Once the financial intermediary receives the application, a review of the applicant’s eligibility for a loan will be carried out and, if approved, within the maximum term of six months, the financial intermediary will close the loan for the proposed investment project, which should be no less than 50% of the overall value of the investment project, and forward the application to Puglia Sviluppo.The application, including a description of the investment project, the financial plan and the profiles of the enterprises involved will be assessed by Puglia Sviluppo and the assessment outcome will be communicated, via the platform, to the proposing enterprise and to the financial intermediary. For successful applications, within three months of completion of the investment programme, the beneficiary must present a declaration of completion of the project and a request for the disbursement of the grant and subsidy payments, complete with the supporting documentation required. Puglia Sviluppo will review the documentation provided and assess the relevance and eligibility for funding of the expenses incurred. Regione Puglia will deliberate the overall funding approved and the single-payment terms for the MINIPIA Taranto investment programme.

Where to find the public notice 

The MINIPIA TARANTO public notice and all of the official documentation relating to the MINIPIA TARANTO funding scheme, including the templates for the application procedure are available online at: https://www.regione.puglia.it/web/competitivita-e-innovazione/-/avviso-pubblico-pacchetti-integrati-di-agevolazione-taranto-mini-pia-taranto

• Det. I luglio 2025, n. 419
• Public Notice JTF-MiniPIA Taranto

Deadline for applications

There are no fixed deadlines for proposals, subject to the availability of funds.

For additional information 

www.pugliasviluppo.eu/en - www.regione.puglia.it 

PIA Taranto – Integrated Incentives Packages
(National JTF Programme 2021-2027 – Territorial Plan for the Province of Taranto)

Overview

Regione Puglia, the regional government, has created a set of business incentive schemes that offer generous funding for investors, making Puglia one of the best places to start, finance and expand a business in Europe. PIA TARANTO (INTEGRATED INCENTIVES PACKAGES TARANTO) is one of the regional incentive schemes, managed by the regional finance agency Puglia Sviluppo S.p.A., operating on an open window for applications basis, starting from 05/07/2025.
This information sheet provides information on the business incentive scheme PIA TARANTO (INTEGRATED INCENTIVES PACKAGES TARANTO) designed specifically for SMEs and innovative start-ups intending to carry out integrated investment projects in the Province of Taranto, in line with the objectives of the Just Transition Fund – Territorial Plan for the Province of Taranto.Please note that the information provided is purely indicative and may be subject to change. For full details on the PIA Taranto incentive scheme, please refer to the Public Notice: 

• as published in the Official Bulletin of Regione Puglia (B.U.R.P.) n. 4, dated 4th July 2025;
• available on the official website of Regione Puglia at: https://www.regione.puglia.it/web/competitivita-e innovazione/-/avviso-pubblico-programmiintegrati-di-agevolazione-taranto-pia-taranto
  
  

What is the National JTF Programme 2021-2027 – Territorial Plan for the Province of Taranto

The "Integrated Incentives Packages Taranto - PIA TARANTO" incentive scheme is implemented with resources allocated from the National JTF (Just Transition Fund) Programme for Italy 2021-2027, a financial instrument which aims to provide support to territories facing serious socio-economic challenges arising from the transition towards climate neutrality.In this context, Taranto represents one of the areas most affected by the transition due to its dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas-intensive industrial processes. For this reason, Regione Puglia, by way ofthe Territorial Plan of the Province of Taranto, is focusing resources on initiatives for a just transition through economic diversification, professional retraining, and environmental remediation. The Plan also intends to contribute to the development of new strategic technological supply chains, in line with the objectives of diversification of the local economy.The PIA TARANTO Notice implements the Territorial Plan, establishing the specific criteria and procedures for granting incentives to SMEs, aimed to develop and strengthen research and innovation capabilities, support the introduction of advanced technologies and business process reengineering, in addition to the development and consolidation of circular economy practices.

Who can apply: beneficiaries

Medium-sized enterprises that have approved accounts for at least two previous financial years on the date of application;
b) Small and micro-enterprises, with an average annual turnover of no less than €1,000,000.00 for the previous three years;
c) Innovative start-ups and enterprises, exclusively in association with one or more local SMEs, falling within the previous categories a) and b);
d) Innovative start-ups and enterprises, individually, only in specific circumstances related to the level of technological innovation or maturity achieved or to be achieved by the investment project;

e) Inactive enterprises, wholly controlled either by a medium-sized enterprise that has approved accounts for at least two previous financial years on the date of application or by a small enterprise with an average annual turnover of no less than € 1,000,000.00 for the previous three years;
f) Active enterprises, wholly either by a medium-sized enterprise that has approved accounts for at least two previous financial years on the date of application or by a small enterprise with an average annual turnover of no less than € 1,000,000.00 for the previous three years. 
(For further information on eligible beneficiaries, please refer to the PIA TARANTO public notice.)

Eligible projects

The PIA TARANTO (INTEGRATED INCENTIVES PACKAGES TARANTO) funding scheme supports R&D investment projects to be carried out by SMEs already located in the Province of Taranto, or intending to locate within the area.
The PIA TARANTO scheme provides funding exclusively for eligible R&D projects, which may be integrated with investments in:
 innovation;
 capital investments;
 training initiatives;
 environmental protection measures;
 business consultancy services and international business promotion initiatives, including the participation in trade fairs.

Eligible sectors

The R&D investment projects must be presented by SMEs for initiatives related to the sectors indicated in Appendix 3 of the PIA TARANTO public notice, based on the Economic Activities Classification - ATECO 2007 – updated 2025. 
In brief, eligible sectors include the manufacturing sector, waste treatment activities, various service industries, professional, scientific and education services sectors (exclusions apply).
(For further information on eligible industry sectors, please refer to the PIA TARANTO public notice.)

Investment limits 

The PIA TARANTO (INTEGRATED INCENTIVES PACKAGES TARANTO) scheme provides funding for investment projects with overall minimum eligible expenditure of €1,000,000.00.

Investment limits, in terms of maximum eligible costs, are fixed at:
 €40,000,000.00 for R&D;
 €50,000,000.00 for capital investments by medium-sized enterprises;
 €40,000,000.00 for capital investments by small enterprises;
 €20,000,000.00 for capital investments by individual innovative start-ups and enterprises;
 €500,000.00 and €5,000,000.00 for capital investments by innovative start-ups and innovative enterprises, associated to an investment project;
 €3,000,000.00 for innovation;
 €5,000,000.00 for business process and organizational innovation;

 €2,000,000.00 for training initiatives;

 €10,000,000.00 for environmental protection investments;
 €500,000.00 for business consultancy services and international business promotion initiatives, in addition to up to €500,000.00 for the participation in trade fairs.

Eligible expenditure

Eligible investment costs refer primarily to:
 tangible assets, including: machinery and production plant facilities, office furniture and commercial vehicles, land purchase, construction works and similar, feasibility studies and planning costs;
 intangible assets, including: software licenses or development, acquisition of operating licenses and patents, patented or unpatented technologies and know-how, research contracts;
 environmental protection measures, involving measures for improving energy efficiency and/or 
introducing clean hydrogen or high-yield renewable energy production systems for self-generation 
and consumption.
Eligible operating costs are related to the following categories:
 training costs relating to employees, involved in the investment project, for courses covering areas 
identified by the Regional Smart Specialisation Strategy (such as innovation management, 
digitalization, international business promotion);
 salaries of employees, directly involved in the investment project activities for R&D and Innovation;
 general costs and operational costs, including utilities, materials and supplies, directly associated with the investment project for R&D and Innovation;
 consultancy services for the development of new business models, digital strategies, new e-business and management systems leading to product certification, environmental certification, corporate social responsibility management and ethical and social reporting, based on international standards, marketing strategies and international business promotion plans; 
 costs for the participation in trade fairs and related business events, including temporary showrooms in Italy or abroad for international business promotion.

Levels of funding available

The PIA TARANTO (INTEGRATED INCENTIVES PACKAGES TARANTO) scheme provides significant levels of funding for eligible investment projects. The levels of funding available, within the limits indicated in the PIA TARANTO public notice, are based on the type of investment as follows: 
- Capital investments: 
o 50-60% of eligible costs for medium-sized enterprises;
o 60-70% of eligible costs for small enterprises;
- Investments in industrial research*:
o 60% of eligible costs for medium-sized enterprises;
o 70% of eligible costs for small enterprises;
- Investments in experimental development*:
o 35% of eligible costs for medium-sized enterprises;
o 45% of eligible costs for small enterprises;
- Investments for innovation, including business process and organizational innovation: 50% of eligible costs;
- Investments for training initiatives: 
o 60-70% of eligible costs for medium-sized enterprises

o 70% of eligible costs for small enterprises;
- Investments for environmental protection measures:
o 55% of eligible costs for medium-sized enterprises; 
o 65% of eligible costs for small enterprises; 
- Investments in business consultancy services and international business promotion initiatives: 50% of eligible costs. 
*In certain conditions, additional funding of up to 15% is available for investments in R&D, for an overall 
maximum of 80%. 

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online, in Italian, through the platform PugliaSemplice:
https://pugliasemplice.sistema.puglia.it following the procedure in the dedicated section “PIA TARANTO” On submitting an application, a protocol number and CUP (Unique Project Code) will be assigned to the application. The CUP must be quoted in all of the invoices and administrative documentation related to costs and expenses for investments included in the PIA Taranto project. The initial application, including a description of the investment project, the financial plan and the profiles of 
the companies involved will be assessed by Puglia Sviluppo. Regione Puglia will formally communicate the outcome of the assessment to the proposing company and, for successful applications, invite the proposing company to present a final draft of the investment plan within 60 days of the application’s approval, using the platform PugliaSemplice. The final draft and supporting documentation will be evaluated by Puglia Sviluppo in order to determine eligible funding. 
Regione Puglia will deliberate the overall funding assigned to the project and set out the terms for signing the PIA Taranto agreement with the beneficiaries.

Where to find the public notice

The PIA TARANTO public notice and all of the official documentation relating to the PIA TARANTO funding scheme, including the templates for both the initial application procedure and the final draft proposal are available online at: 
https://www.regione.puglia.it/web/competitivita-e-innovazione/-/avviso-pubblico-programmi-integrati-di-agevolazione-taranto-pia-taranto

• Det. I luglio 2025, n. 418
• Public Notice JTF-PIA Taranto

Deadline for applications

There are no fixed deadlines for proposals, subject to the availability of funds.

For additional information 

www.pugliasviluppo.eu/en - www.regione.puglia.it