Deadline: 10-Jul-2026
The Lombardy Region has launched the 2026–2027 Call for Co-Financing of Activities to support Lombard communities worldwide and promote international mobility initiatives. The call funds partnership-based projects that strengthen Lombardy’s cultural identity, support Lombard emigrants abroad, and build stronger international connections.
The total allocation is €600,000. Selected projects may receive a non-repayable grant covering up to 80% of eligible project costs, with a maximum contribution of €100,000 per project.
What is the Lombardy Region 2026–2027 Call?
The Lombardy Region 2026–2027 Call for Co-Financing of Activities is a funding opportunity designed to support projects benefiting Lombard communities around the world.
The call promotes cultural identity, global connections, return pathways, integration support, and new forms of international mobility.
It is aligned with Regional Law No. 9 of May 21, 2024, which supports Lombard communities abroad and addresses evolving patterns of global mobility.
Main Purpose of the Call
The main purpose of the call is to strengthen the relationship between Lombardy and Lombard communities worldwide.
The programme supports projects that:
- Support Lombard emigrants worldwide
- Promote Lombardy’s identity and culture
- Strengthen relations with communities abroad
- Support return and integration pathways in Lombardy
- Promote innovative mobility initiatives
- Develop international partnerships
- Respond to new forms of global mobility
- Build collaboration networks between Lombardy and the world
Geographic and Community Focus
The call focuses on Lombard communities living outside Italy and on international mobility connected to the Lombardy Region.
Projects should have an international dimension and must include at least one foreign partner with a registered office or operations outside Italy.
Legal and Policy Context
The initiative is implemented in line with Regional Law No. 9 of May 21, 2024.
This law focuses on:
- Supporting Lombard communities worldwide
- Promoting Lombard identity abroad
- Responding to new international mobility trends
- Strengthening connections between Lombardy and people of Lombard origin
- Supporting return, integration, and international cooperation initiatives
Funding Amount
The total financial allocation available under the call is €600,000.
Each selected project may receive a maximum contribution of €100,000.
Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant.
Co-Financing Rate
The grant may cover up to 80% of the total project cost.
Applicants must provide or secure the remaining project budget through other sources.
Projects requesting a lower percentage of public funding may receive additional evaluation consideration because this can show stronger financial sustainability.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible initiatives must be implemented through partnerships involving qualified organisations.
Eligible organisations may include:
- Public administrations
- Universities
- Training institutes
- Employment service bodies
- Research centres
- Non-profit associations
- Foundations
- Third sector entities
- Organisations representing Lombard communities worldwide
Partnership Requirement
Projects must be submitted through a partnership.
Each project must include at least one foreign partner.
The foreign partner must have:
- A registered office outside Italy, or
- Operational activities outside Italy
Foreign partnerships are important because they strengthen the international dimension of the project and improve the effectiveness of activities abroad.
Applicant Participation Rules
Applicants must follow the call’s participation rules.
Key rules include:
- Each organisation may submit only one project as partnership leader.
- The project leader must include at least one eligible foreign partner.
- Organisations may participate in additional projects as partners.
- Partnerships should be designed to support effective international collaboration.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The call supports projects that benefit Lombard communities worldwide and address international mobility issues.
Supported initiatives may include:
- Cultural identity projects
- International networking initiatives
- Mobility support programmes
- Return and integration activities
- Projects supporting Lombard emigrants
- International partnership-building initiatives
- Training and research activities
- Projects connecting Lombardy with communities abroad
- Activities addressing new migration and mobility trends
Key Focus Areas
The call focuses on cultural, social, and international cooperation priorities.
Key focus areas include:
- Lombard communities worldwide
- Lombard identity and culture
- International mobility
- Return and integration into Lombardy
- International partnerships
- Cultural promotion
- Community engagement
- Global collaboration networks
- Mobility innovation
- Support for emigrants and people of Lombard origin
Key Concepts Explained
Lombard Communities Worldwide
Lombard communities worldwide refer to people and organisations connected to Lombardy who live, work, or operate outside Italy.
International Mobility
International mobility refers to the movement of people across borders for work, study, family, community, cultural, or professional reasons.
Co-Financing
Co-financing means that the project is funded from more than one source. The Lombardy Region may cover up to 80% of the project cost, while applicants or partners must contribute the remaining share.
Non-Repayable Grant
A non-repayable grant is funding that does not need to be repaid if the recipient follows the approved project conditions.
Foreign Partner
A foreign partner is an organisation with a registered office or operations outside Italy. Each project must include at least one such partner.
Eligible Project Objectives
Projects should respond to the call’s objectives and create value for Lombard communities and international mobility networks.
Eligible objectives may include:
- Strengthening Lombard cultural identity abroad
- Supporting communities of Lombard origin
- Creating international cooperation networks
- Promoting integration and return pathways
- Supporting mobility-related services and initiatives
- Encouraging collaboration between Lombardy and foreign partners
- Addressing new patterns of migration and global movement
- Building sustainable partnerships with communities abroad
How the Funding Works
The call provides co-financing for approved projects.
The Lombardy Region may contribute up to 80% of total project costs, with a ceiling of €100,000 per project.
Applicants may combine regional funding with their own resources or with contributions from public or private third parties.
Projects with stronger external financial support may be viewed more favourably during assessment because they show sustainability and shared commitment.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a partnership-based project proposal that clearly explains the activities, international partners, budget, expected results, and relevance to Lombard communities worldwide.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the lead applicant is an eligible organisation.
- Identify at least one foreign partner with a registered office or operations outside Italy.
- Define the project’s connection to Lombard communities or international mobility.
- Explain how the project supports Lombardy’s identity, culture, or global relations.
- Prepare a partnership structure with clear roles and responsibilities.
- Develop a realistic activity plan.
- Prepare a budget showing total project costs and requested co-financing.
- Identify additional funding from the applicant, partners, or third-party public or private entities.
- Ensure the grant request does not exceed 80% of total project costs or €100,000.
- Submit only one project as partnership leader.
- Submit the application according to the official call requirements.
Expected Results
Supported projects should create practical benefits for Lombard communities and international cooperation.
Expected results may include:
- Stronger connections with Lombard communities abroad
- Greater visibility of Lombardy’s culture and identity
- Improved international collaboration
- Better support for mobility and integration pathways
- New partnerships between local and foreign organisations
- More effective engagement with Lombard emigrants
- Innovative responses to changing mobility patterns
- Sustainable networks connecting Lombardy with communities worldwide
Why It Matters
The call helps Lombardy maintain strong ties with its communities around the world.
Global mobility is changing, and regions need new tools to support people who live, work, study, or return across borders.
By funding partnership-based projects, the Lombardy Region encourages international cooperation, cultural continuity, and practical support for Lombard communities abroad.
The call also helps organisations develop projects that connect cultural identity with mobility, integration, and global collaboration.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly show the project’s international value and practical benefit for Lombard communities.
Applicants should focus on:
- A clear connection to Lombard communities worldwide
- Strong foreign partner involvement
- Realistic and well-structured activities
- Clear cultural or mobility-related objectives
- Sustainable international cooperation
- Strong financial planning
- Contributions from other funding sources
- Practical benefits for target groups
- Clear roles for each partner
- Measurable expected results
Projects that request a lower share of public funding may strengthen their application by showing financial sustainability.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should carefully follow the call’s eligibility and partnership requirements.
Common mistakes include:
- Submitting a project without a foreign partner
- Applying as leader for more than one project
- Failing to show a clear link to Lombard communities worldwide
- Providing a weak international cooperation plan
- Requesting more than 80% of total project costs
- Requesting more than €100,000
- Submitting an unclear or unrealistic budget
- Not showing partner roles clearly
- Failing to demonstrate financial sustainability
- Proposing activities that do not address mobility, culture, identity, or community links
FAQ
What is the Lombardy Region 2026–2027 Call for Co-Financing?
It is a funding call that supports projects benefiting Lombard communities worldwide and promoting international mobility initiatives.
What is the total funding allocation?
The total financial allocation is €600,000.
How much funding can each project receive?
Each project may receive up to €100,000.
What percentage of project costs can be covered?
The grant can cover up to 80% of total project costs.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include public administrations, universities, training institutes, employment service bodies, research centres, non-profit associations, foundations, third sector entities, and organisations representing Lombard communities worldwide.
Is a foreign partner required?
Yes. Each project must include at least one foreign partner with a registered office or operations outside Italy.
Can an organisation participate in more than one project?
An organisation may submit only one project as partnership leader but may participate in additional projects as a partner.
Conclusion
The Lombardy Region 2026–2027 Call for Co-Financing of Activities supports projects that strengthen Lombard communities worldwide, promote cultural identity, and respond to new forms of international mobility.
With a total allocation of €600,000 and grants of up to €100,000 per project, the call encourages strong partnerships between organisations in Lombardy and foreign partners. Successful proposals will show clear international relevance, strong financial sustainability, practical community benefits, and a meaningful contribution to Lombardy’s global connections.
For more information, visit Lombardy Region.