The LAG of the Duchy has opened a new series of calls aimed at supporting investments in rural areas, with the aim of promoting economic development, strengthening the attractiveness of the territories and accompanying agricultural businesses, commercial activities and tour operators in paths of growth, diversification and enhancement of local resources.

The measures activated represent an important opportunity for the territory, because they intervene in strategic areas for the Apennines and for the rural areas of the provinces of Parma and Piacenza: agritourism, wine tourism, processing of agricultural products, commercial activities and tourist services.

The calls are open until 30 September 2026 at 17.00 and provide for capital grants to support tangible and intangible investments, according to the conditions and percentages established by the individual public notices.

Agritourism: investing in rural hospitality

The call DU_SRD03 – Action a) Agritourism is aimed at agricultural entrepreneurs and supports interventions aimed at the creation, improvement or expansion of agritourism activities.

Eligible are, among others, expenses for the recovery, renovation and expansion of existing buildings, the preparation of rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and ancillary rooms, the creation of spaces for recreational, cultural, sports and educational activities, as well as computer equipment and software for the management of the activity.

The goal is to encourage the diversification of agricultural income and make companies increasingly protagonists in hospitality, promotion of the territory and sustainable development of rural areas.

Wine tourism: new experiences related to wine and the landscape

The open measures also include the call DU_SRD03 – Action e) Wine tourism, designed to support investments by farms in the creation or development of tourist-recreational activities related to wine, local traditions and the enhancement of natural and landscape resources.

The call finances interventions for the renovation and preparation of premises and outdoor spaces dedicated to wine tourism activities, the purchase of equipment, equipment and machinery, as well as IT tools and software functional to the management of the activity.

This is a particularly significant measure for agricultural companies that intend to strengthen their relationship with the public, offering visit, tasting and knowledge of the territory experiences capable of integrating production, culture and tourism.

Processing of agricultural products: more value for local production

The call DU_SRD03 – Action d) Transformation of agricultural products supports the investments of farms for the creation, enhancement and development of laboratories dedicated to the transformation of agricultural products and their processing and marketing, also through company sales points.

The interventions may concern the construction, renovation or expansion of company buildings to be used for processing and transformation, the purchase of machinery, plants, equipment and equipment, as well as the setting up of points of sale and IT tools for the online management of sales.

This measure aims to strengthen the ability of farms to generate added value, creating new market opportunities and promoting processed productions linked to the identity of the territory.

Commercial and tourism activities: services and investments to make rural areas more attractive

Alongside the calls dedicated to agricultural businesses, the LAG of the Duchy has also opened the call DU_SRD14A – Action a) Commercial and tourist activities, aimed at micro and small non-agricultural enterprises already established, in possession or able to acquire the ATECO codes provided for in the notice.

The measure supports investments for commercial and tourist activities capable of improving the usability and attractiveness of rural areas, also through the expansion of the services offered, widespread hospitality, catering and the sale of local products.

Eligible expenses include masonry and plant works, interventions to contain energy consumption, machinery and equipment, equipment and furnishings, software and IT equipment, external arrangements, vehicles functional to the activity and promotion expenses within the limits set by the call.

Taken together, the new calls for proposals of the Duchy LAG offer an articulated framework of opportunities to support the growth of businesses and the enhancement of rural areas.

From the qualification of agritourism hospitality to the development of wine tourism, from the transformation of agricultural products to the strengthening of commercial and tourist services, the measures activated aim to create new opportunities for investment, work and territorial protection.

For agricultural businesses, commercial activities and tourism operators, these are therefore tools to be carefully evaluated, also in relation to the consistency of the planned investments, the eligibility requirements and the timing of the submission of applications.