Immersive Classrooms, Third Edition: a further €3.5 million for schools from the Regione Siciliana. Total investment exceeds €10 million

 

A new circular has been published allocating further funds to boost experiential digital learning in primary and lower secondary schools across the island.

The Regional Department of Education and Vocational Training continues its commitment to teaching innovation, allocating a further €3.5 million to create immersive classrooms in primary and lower secondary schools in Sicily. This Third Edition of the funding brings the Region’s total investment in this specific call to €10.3 million (adding the €6.8 million already allocated previously), with the aim of promoting learning environments based on innovation and interactivity.

The initiative aims to strengthen educational models based on immersive learning, integrating augmented and virtual reality into learning pathways.

“To date,” says Regional Councillor Mimmo Turano , “the Region has allocated €6.8 million to create immersive classrooms in 127 Sicilian schools and has paid out 90 per cent of the funded amounts. With this new measure, which launches the Third Edition, we continue to invest resources to support the integration of teaching and new technologies and to encourage experiential learning. Only by combining ‘tradition’ and innovation can we improve the quality of education for our students.”

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Who the circular is for and contribution details

 

The circular is aimed at first-cycle schools (Comprehensive Schools, primary school directorates and lower secondary schools) based in Sicily, provided they have school sites and learning spaces suitable for setting up immersive classrooms and trialling innovative teaching models, including outside school hours.

Each project may receive a maximum contribution of €55,000. Of this, €5,000 is specifically earmarked for activities outside school hours, encouraging schools to open in the afternoon and to be used by the local area and the community.

 

Possibility of a new application

 

A notable feature is that schools which have already received the contribution under the previous Circular 24 of 31/10/2024 may submit a new application under this Third Edition. In this case, the application must concern a different school site from the one previously funded, located in another municipality.

The circular, issued on 24 April 2025 by the Regional Department of Education and Vocational Training, is available to view and download on the Regione Siciliana’s institutional portal:

Circular 16/04/2025 – Third Edition Immersive Classrooms

Updates – Second Edition 2025

Immersive Learning – Regione Siciliana

APPLICATIONS OPEN

With Circular no. 0006 of 16/04/2025, the Regione Siciliana announced the second edition of the “Didattica Immersiva” (Immersive Learning) call, aimed at first-cycle Comprehensive Schools and primary school directorates in Sicily.

Updated deadlines:

• New project completion date: 30 August 2025

• Applications must be sent by 10:00 on 30 May 2025

How to apply:
The application must be sent exclusively by PEC, using the school’s official PEC mailbox, to the following address:
[email protected]

PEC subject line:
It must state the name of the school and the wording:
“Circolare n. …../2025 – Didattica Immersiva – seconda edizione”.
All the required Annexes must be included, duly completed.

 

Summary of Circular no. 24 of 31/10/2024 – Immersive Learning

Recipients:

• Comprehensive Schools and primary school directorates of the first cycle (primary and lower secondary schools) based in Sicily, with suitable premises.

Purpose:

• To promote teaching innovation through immersive technologies (Virtual Reality – VR and Augmented Reality – AR).
• To combine traditional methods with digital tools for experiential and interactive learning, in line with the UN 2030 Agenda, EU directives and the PNRR.

Funding:

• €5 million in total, allocated in chronological order of application.
• Maximum amount per school: €55,000, broken down as follows:
  • €50,000 for equipment (purchase, installation, software, teacher training, adaptations to systems).
  • €5,000 for teaching/auxiliary staff outside school hours.

Eligible Expenditure:

1. Equipment: PCs, tablets, software certified for school use, with 5 years’ support and warranty.
2. Training: Up to €5,000 for at least 20 teachers (training outside working hours).
3. Staff: Teachers and auxiliary staff for afternoon activities.
4. Adaptations: Up to 2% of the budget for necessary changes to systems.

Ineligible Expenditure:

• Standalone VR/AR headsets, coordination costs, costs incurred before the application.

Timeline and Reporting:

• Projects to be completed by 30/06/2025.
• Payment of funds: 90% on approval, 10% after reporting (by 31/08/2025).
• Final report: Details of activities, teachers trained, students involved, results achieved.

Important Notes:

• Priority by order of receipt of applications.
• Exclusion for incomplete or non-compliant documentation.
• Possibility of reallocation in the event of partial funding.

Contacts:

• Responsible office: Servizio 1 – Funzionamento Scuole Statali (State School Operations, Department of Education, Sicily Region).

Source: Sicily Region website.