New €500k Credit Fund for Ferrara and Ravenna Businesses

By Marcus Liu - Business Editor Updated August 4, 2026

The Chamber of Commerce of Ferrara and Ravenna has launched a new financial aid program offering non-repayable grants to help local small and medium-sized enterprises cover productive investments and working capital. According to the Chamber of Commerce, the initiative injects half a million euros into the local economy through regional credit guarantee consortia, known as Confidi, aiming to lower borrowing costs for businesses across agriculture, craftsmanship, commerce, cooperation, industry, and tourism.

Eligibility and Grant Structure for Ferrara and Ravenna Businesses

According to the Chamber of Commerce, the subsidy targets micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises with legal headquarters or operational local units within the Ferrara and Ravenna territorial jurisdiction. To qualify, businesses must secure a loan backed by one of the participating Confidi organizations. The financial relief comes as a direct non-repayable grant calculated at 5 percent of the total loan amount, regardless of duration, up to a maximum of 4,000 euros. Businesses that include a formal pre-instruction attestation issued by a trade association or an affiliated service company receive an increased grant of 6 percent, reaching a maximum ceiling.

Application Process and Deadlines via RESTART Platform

Applications must be submitted exclusively online through the designated Confidi reference using the RESTART platform. According to the Chamber of Commerce schedule, the application window opens on September 11, 2026, and runs through March 31, 2027, unless the allocated financial resources run out earlier. Each enterprise can submit only one grant application referencing the same loan within a single calendar year. As part of the initiative, guarantee bodies commit to guiding businesses toward credit institutions offering the most favorable terms. Guarantors must present multiple loan proposals to allow business owners to select the option best suited to their operational needs.

Economic Context and Prior Results

Giorgio Guberti, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Ferrara Ravenna, stated that the program provides essential financial breathing room and reinforces the role of Confidi partners in supporting the local production system. Guberti noted that the intervention addresses delicate international contexts by multiplying the effects of available resources through synergy with local trade associations. This program builds on prior lending cycles. According to Chamber of Commerce data, the 2025 funding plafond was fully exhausted, with 179 submitted requests yielding an average grant for average loans.

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About the author: Marcus Liu - Business Editor

MBA and ex‑B bureau chief specializing in global finance and fintech. Marcus speaks Mandarin, Japanese, and English, and has interviewed CEOs from the Fortune 50 to Y‑Combinator unicorns. Marcus Liu delivers sharp analysis on markets, startups, and corporate strategy for investors and entrepreneurs alike.