“Bottega 2030” project for the creation and consolidation of new youth enterprises 

The Youth Project Office of the Municipality of Padua promotes a public notice for the financing of youth start-ups within the “Bottega 2030” project, co-financed by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers – Department for Youth Policies and Universal Civil Service and by ANCI, with the aim of supporting the creation and consolidation of new youth enterprises. The project, launched in April 2024 in collaboration with 11 partners, aims to create an environment that is favorable to the economic, cultural and social growth of the territory, through an integrated approach that actively involves businesses, local institutions, universities and young entrepreneurs.

The public notice is aimed at young people between 18 and 35 years old, residentdomiciled in the Municipality or province of Padua, who intend to set up a new business in the same territorial area. Both individual entrepreneurs and groups of young people can participate (but in this case at least 50% of them must meet the age requirement), with a business idea to develop or who have set up a start-up less than 5 years ago. Il total financing is equal to €71.000 and each entrepreneurial project may benefit from a contribution ranging from a minimum of €5.000 to a maximum of €20.000. The deadline for submitting the application is Friday, February 28, 2025. All the details are available on the website www.progettogiovani.pd.it.

states Pietro Bean, City Councilor with responsibility for Youth Policies: “With “Bottega 2030”, our Administration confirms its commitment to supporting the ambitions of young entrepreneurial talents who, with enthusiasm and innovative ideas, actively contribute to the economic development of our territory. Investing in young people means investing in the future: this is why it is essential to create an ecosystem that is favorable to the development of start-ups and to offer young entrepreneurs the tools necessary to transform their ideas into reality.“.

Adds Enrico Baggio, President of Ascom Services of Padua Spa“Bringing young people to “breathe enterprise” with the dual objective of creating new entrepreneurship and, at the same time, revitalizing commercial spaces that are now desolately empty: both are objectives that fit perfectly with the mission of Ascom Confcommercio of Padua. Because we are firmly convinced of a couple of things: without business there is no prospect of growth and without “living” commercial spaces the city not only loses its identity, but also opens itself up to desertification and degradation“.

Training and orientation

One of the central lines of action of the “Bottega 2030” project concerns the training, implemented through the active involvement of young people, to listen to their needs and ideas and offer them tools and resources to develop their entrepreneurial skills. To be eligible for financing, it is necessary to have participated in at least one of the proposed activities (courses, workshops, entrepreneurial orientation sessions). For those who have not yet attended any meetings, the last three cycles of appointments are scheduled for February:

• Doing Business – From Business Model to Business Plan (February 10-13): four webinars dedicated to defining the business plan for starting a business, by Alvise Volpato, chartered accountant and Matteo Merlin, management consultant.
• Brand identity and digital marketing (February 17th and 19th): two webinars dedicated to building your own corporate identity and useful strategies for its promotion, by Alessia Grigoletto, marketing and communication expert.
• Fundraising for Arts and Culture – Opportunities and Challenges Beyond the Myths (February 18, 22 and 26): three meetings to explore fundraising opportunities in cultural enterprises, curated by Marianna Martinoni, fundraiser and consultant.

Some of the trainers are also available for individual consulting sessions to delve deeper into the steps required to start a business and to provide support in completing the financing application. Participation in all activities is free, subject to registration according to the procedures described on www.progettogiovani.pd.it.

The project

“Bottega 2030” aims to support young talents in becoming protagonists of the Paduan economic system, through the valorization of the cultural and touristic vocation of the territory and identifying innovative ways to retain young graduates. It intends promote the development of innovative and sustainable business models and redevelop and reuse vacant spaces as creative and productive hubs.

Among the most promising sectors for young companies are the digital economy, environmental sustainability, urban regeneration and experiential tourism. These areas have been identified as key areas for the economic development of the territory, capable of attracting investments and creating new job opportunities for young people.

In addition to the Municipality of Padua, the project leader, the partners are: Ascom Servizi Padova Spa, CCIAA of Padua, CIOFS-FP Veneto ETS, Municipality of Abano Terme, Municipality of Montegrotto Terme, Municipality of Torreglia, Fondazione Salesiani, GAL Patavino, PST Galileo, Unismart.