Special measures for export firms in areas affected by the flooding in Emilia-Romagna and neighbouring areas, and in Tuscany

The measure providing compensation for verified income loss due to natural disasters has been extended to cover businesses in areas affected by the flooding in Tuscany in November 2023. This measure, already active for Emilia-Romagna and neighboring municipalities, will now also apply to Tuscany.

Grants for companies: Access to non-repayable grants will be broadened to include all exporting companies, as well as those that may not directly export but are part of a production chain with an export focus. These companies must derive revenue from verifiable transactions with businesses actively operating in foreign markets and located in the flood-affected areas of Florence, Livorno, Pisa, Pistoia, and Prato provinces, where the disaster led to a full or partial suspension of operations.

Total Funding: The overall funding for these extraordinary measures for Emilia-Romagna, neighboring municipalities, and Tuscany amounts to €300 million.

Additional SIMEST conditions for Tuscany: Companies affected by the flooding in Tuscany will also have access to the same conditions provided in the SIMEST package through Fund 394 for accessing the Digital and Ecological Transition tool. This includes the option to allocate 90% of the financing to strengthen capital resources, a €400 million reserve, and a 10% non-repayable grant portion.

Additionally, businesses can request an exemption from providing guarantees on applications submitted between July 27, 2023, and December 31, 2024.

Extended payment suspension and reporting deadlines: SIMEST has also activated the option for companies in affected areas of Tuscany, as was provided after the May 2023 flood, to suspend capital and interest payments on existing loans from Fund 394 and the PNRR/Fund 394 measure until December 31, 2024. The total repayment period will remain the same, and reporting deadlines on these loans are extended by 6 months.

For information on active measures supporting affected businesses, you can contact the dedicated email:

simestperalluvione2023@simest.it

For assistance with SIMEST measures, Customer Care is available at: info@simest.it

Please note that to prevent and combat violations against the economic and financial interests of the State and the European Union, businesses applying for and benefiting from subsidized financing through public funds may be subject to verification by competent authorities at any stage of the process.

• From 09.00 hours on 25 July 2024, businesses can access the Portal to compile and submit loan applications for the new instrument “Potenziamento dei mercati africani” (“Strengthening African markets”), and for the new conditions dedicated to Africa of the instruments “Inserimento mercati” (“Entry on markets”), “Certificazioni e consulenze” (“Certification and advisory services”), “Fiere ed Eventi” (“Trade fairs and events”), “E-commerce” and “Temporary Manager”.
• From 18.00 hours on 24 July until 09.00 hours on 25 July, the Portal will be offline for updates, in view of the opening, and it will not be possible to use it. 
• See how to access the Portal

Compiling the application

• To compile the application, you must (i) attach all necessary documentation, as indicated in the Circular, (ii) give details of the legal representative, (iii) give details of the beneficial owner of the Applicant company, (iv) upload the contract of the dedicated current account, (v) upload the articles of association of the company. All documents must be digitally signed.
• In any case, submitting an application will not entitle the applicant to have the financing approved/granted. Approval/granting is subject to the application being complete, access requirements being met, the successful completion of SIMEST’s application review and the actual availability of financial resources, as well as approval from the Financial Support Committee.