Abruzzo Region Bolsters Coastal Defenses with Over €74 Million Investment

The Abruzzo region of Italy is undertaking a comprehensive plan to combat coastal erosion, allocating over €74 million for 30 defense projects across 18 municipalities, from Martinsicuro to San Salvo. The initiative, funded through the Development and Cohesion Funds (FSC) 2021-2027, aims to protect the region’s coastline from the damaging effects of erosion and hydrogeological instability.

Recent Progress and Agreements

On Monday, March 2, 2026, the Region of Abruzzo formalized agreements with seven municipalities – Lettomanoppello, Corropoli, Bucchianico, Gessopalena, Cagnano Amiterno, Roseto degli Abruzzi, and Rosciano – to initiate hydrogeological risk mitigation works. The signing ceremony was led by Regional President Marco Marsilio and Regional Councilor for Soil Protection, Umberto D’Annuntiis.

President Marsilio emphasized the transparency and rigor of the allocation process, stating that resources are assigned based on rankings, scores, and objective criteria. He highlighted that the over €10 million allocated for this specific phase of interventions is sufficient to complete the planned works and lay the groundwork for future projects.

Multi-Phase Investment Strategy

The regional commitment to soil protection extends beyond the current agreements. Councilor D’Annuntiis detailed the overall investment strategy, which includes:

• €202 million allocated in the first phase for flood damage prevention.
• €30 million in National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) funds.
• €17 million provided through Law 177 of 2024.
• A total of €72 million invested in 54 municipalities since 2020, leveraging transfers from the Ministry of the Environment.
• €60 million from the 2021-2027 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programming.
• An additional €20 million earmarked for landslides and instabilities, and another €20 million within the 2021-2027 FSC resources.

Specific Projects Underway

Currently, work is progressing on two key projects:

• A €2.9 million project in Alba Adriatica, focusing on the northern section of the coastline, involving the construction of submerged breakwaters.
• A €3.18 million project in Villa Rosa di Martinsicuro, funded by the National Department of Civil Protection, which began on December 2, 2024.

Significant investments are also planned for Martinsicuro and Alba Adriatica (€24 million) for breakwaters and beach nourishment, and for Tortoreto (€12 million) for additional breakwaters and monitoring efforts.

Ongoing Commitment to Coastal Protection

Councilor D’Annuntiis underscored the increasing importance of addressing hydrogeological instability at both regional and national levels, reaffirming the Regional Council’s commitment to supporting municipalities in protecting their coastlines.