ROME, ITALY / RankWire.AI / – Italy has designated €1.55 billion for the development of 59 water infrastructure initiatives across 17 regions as part of its national recovery plan. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport finalized this allocation within a period of four months. These projects encompass aqueducts, water distribution networks, and other essential systems aimed at ensuring water supply and infrastructure resilience. The majority of the funding will be directed towards southern regions, which will benefit from the combined resources of national recovery funds and additional contributions from project beneficiaries.
Approximately €830 million, or 53% of the total public funds, will be allocated to southern Italy, surpassing the program’s minimum requirement of 40% for the southern areas of the country. Beneficiaries will supplement this with around €683 million of their own financing, bringing the total investment to over €2.2 billion. The funds are intended to enhance water efficiency, reinforce infrastructure, and diminish losses within water supply systems.
Distributing the funds through SFNIISSI, Italy’s financing program dedicated to strategic water infrastructure and supply security, the initiative forms an integral part of the country’s PNRR recovery framework, utilizing NextGenerationEU resources. Initially, €1 billion was available for allocation, which was subsequently increased by an additional €576 million in August. Invitalia manages the application process, grant procedures, and project oversight, while the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport supervises the broader water investment strategies connected to these funds.
Over half of the funding is directed toward southern regions
Funding recipients include public authorities and companies charged with managing water resources and infrastructure. Grants can cover up to 90% of eligible expenses for projects focused on improving efficiency and structural safety, with digital initiatives aimed at reducing water loss potentially qualifying for up to 85% coverage. The application window, which opened on May 6 and extended until June 8, saw officials review submissions and allocate the available funds across approved projects.
The current funding round supports infrastructure projects already identified within national planning and other priority frameworks. These include upgrades to aqueducts, distribution systems, and facilities that are critical to ensuring reliable water supplies. Invitalia oversees the administrative aspects related to the grants and monitors the progress of supported projects. The combined investments from public resources and beneficiary contributions push the total value of this initiative well beyond the state’s direct input, with the overall figure exceeding €2.2 billion. This includes both public funding and additional private or beneficiary investments.
Building upon previous water infrastructure investments
This latest funding round follows earlier PNRR investments in primary water infrastructure across Italy. By July, the country had completed 48 water systems under another recovery measure, exceeding the target of 45, including 37 classified as complex infrastructure. Authorities also reported 79 individual interventions completed by 52 implementing entities, with around €1 billion in recovery funds supporting 124 projects involving reservoirs and water systems for drinking, irrigation, and mixed purposes. Out of the 48 completed systems, 25 are primarily focused on irrigation, 20 serve drinking water needs, and three systems serve both functions. Italy has also programmed and funded more than €6 billion in water-related projects through its broader infrastructure investment framework. The new €1.55 billion allocation adds 59 projects to this extensive program of water upgrades. Once the funds are allocated, these approved projects will move into the implementation phase, following the established PNRR timetable and monitoring procedures.