Call for Third Sector Three-Year Period 2026-2028 (Italy)

The Lombardy Region has launched the “Third Sector Programme 2026–2028” to finance community-based projects that support the social and economic development of local communities. The programme has a total budget of €8,432,666 and provides non-repayable funding covering 80% of eligible project costs, with beneficiaries contributing the remaining 20%. Opportunity at a Glance

- Programme: Third Sector Programme 2026–2028

- Call code: RLJ12026054688

- Funding authority: Lombardy Region

- Type of support: Non-repayable grant

- Total programme budget: €8,432,666

- Public contribution: 80% of the total project cost

- Required co-financing: 20% of the total project cost

- Application opening: 24 August 2026 at 10:00

- Application deadline: 16 October 2026 at 17:00

- Application method: Online through the Lombardy Region’s Bandi e Servizi platform

- Geographic focus: Lombardy, Italy

Focus Areas and Priorities Projects must address at least one of four cross-cutting priorities: volunteering, community, proximity, or capacity. Each proposal must also align with only one of four thematic areas: family, social solidarity, disability, or equal opportunities.

About the Programme

The programme supports territorial projects that provide community-based interventions and services responding to the needs of individuals, families, and local communities. It seeks to align the work of voluntary organizations, social promotion associations, and Third Sector foundations with the Lombardy Region’s social policy objectives. Projects should strengthen cooperation between Third Sector organizations, improve access to local services, encourage civic participation, and expand the capacity of community organizations to address social needs. Funding and Co-Financing Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant covering 80% of the total project cost. Beneficiaries must provide the remaining 20% through eligible co-financing resources. Two categories of collaborative projects are supported:

- Large-scale collaborative projects: Total project cost must be between €100,000 and €125,000.

- Small-scale collaborative projects: Total project cost must be between €39,000 and €50,000.

Projects falling below or exceeding the applicable financial thresholds will be considered ineligible. Eligible Forms of Co-Financing The required 20% beneficiary contribution may be provided through: - The organization’s own financial resources. - Financial contributions from third parties belonging to the supporting network. - Additional external funding secured by the partnership. - Valuation of volunteer activities contributed to the project. - Staff time and professional resources dedicated to project implementation. - Premises, physical spaces, equipment, vehicles, and logistical resources made available to the project. The approved grant cannot be combined with other national, regional, European Union, or public funding for the same eligible expenses.

Payment Schedule

The public contribution will be paid in two instalments:

- Advance payment: 65% of the approved public contribution.

- Final payment: 35% after the lead organization submits the final financial report and the Lombardy Region approves the reported expenditure.

The funding provided under this programme does not constitute State aid. Who Is Eligible? Applications may be submitted by the following Third Sector entities: - Volunteer Organizations, known as ODV, registered in the National Single Register of the Third Sector. - Social Promotion Associations, known as APS, registered in the National Single Register of the Third Sector. - Third Sector foundations registered in the National Single Register of the Third Sector. - Certain foundations registered in the ONLUS registry that applied for registration in the National Single Register of the Third Sector by 31 March 2026. - Eligible ODV, APS, and Third Sector foundations with decentralized organizational structures and a single tax code covering different regional, provincial, or sub-provincial operational offices. - Associative networks under Article 41 of the Third Sector Code that operate in Lombardy through eligible member organizations. Foundations transitioning from ONLUS status may be admitted conditionally. If their registration in the National Single Register of the Third Sector is not completed, they will lose any funding awarded. Geographic Requirements Every beneficiary and project partner must have a registered or operational office in the Lombardy Region. An operational office must be a stable, organized, and identifiable location that conducts verifiable activities within the region. Entities managing Volunteer Service Centres are not eligible to receive funding under this programme, in accordance with Article 62 of Legislative Decree No. 117/2017.

Partnership Requirements

Each beneficiary, identified through its tax code, may participate in a maximum of three partnerships. An organization may serve as the lead applicant in only one of those partnerships. Partnerships may receive support from additional public or private entities, including nonprofit and for-profit organizations. These supporting entities may strengthen the project’s effectiveness and sustainability but cannot receive grant funding for any costs they incur. Eligible Activities and Priorities Projects must promote community-based services and respond to the needs of people, families, and communities. Each proposal must address at least one of the following cross-cutting priorities:

- Volunteering: Promote a culture of volunteering among young people.

- Community: Encourage collaboration, participation, and generative welfare practices.

- Proximity: Improve citizens’ access to opportunities available through local service systems.

- Capacity: Develop partnerships and networks that strengthen the operational capacity of Third Sector entities.

Each project must align with only one of the following thematic areas: - Family - Social solidarity - Disabilit