Reading promotion fund – 2025

The 2025 call is now officially open for the “Fondo per la promozione della lettura, della tutela e della valorizzazione del patrimonio librario” (Fund for the promotion of reading and the protection and enhancement of book heritage), an important initiative promoted by the Direzione Generale Biblioteche e diritto d’autore (DG BDA – Directorate-General for Libraries and Copyright) of the Ministry of Culture. This opportunity is aimed at Italian Library Systems and School Libraries wishing to strengthen their activities and services. Applications for funding may be submitted exclusively online by 12:00 on 30 April 2025.

The call, governed by Director-General’s Decree no. 112 of 12 March 2025 (with a notice published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale no. 69 of 24 March 2025), aims to give practical support to the role of libraries as cultural hubs in their local areas. Its main objectives are to promote reading as a means of growth and inclusion, to protect and enhance existing book heritage and to make library services more efficient.

Who can apply?

The following are eligible to apply:

1. Library Systems: They must be formally established and already operating at the time of application. Note that membership of the National Library Service (SBN) alone is not sufficient, and individual municipal libraries may take part only if they belong to a formally established system.
2. School Libraries: Libraries belonging to schools of every type and level (preschools, primary, lower and upper secondary schools), including non-profit scuole paritarie not linked to for-profit companies. Each school may submit only one application. University libraries and libraries of equivalent institutions are excluded.

Which projects can be funded?

The Fund supports projects that increase library activities, services and use. Projects focusing on the following will be viewed favourably:

• Promoting reading: Meetings with authors, reading-aloud sessions, debates, research and events linked to the local area (including from an intercultural and multilingual perspective).
• Inclusion and participation: Strengthening services for families, children, young people, students, parents, older people and foreign citizens, including through local partnerships.
• Protection and enhancement: Actions to preserve book heritage (cataloguing, maintenance) and to make the services offered more efficient.

Financial Details and Eligible Expenditure

Although it is essential to check the exact amount in the official text of D.D.G. 112/2025, the information available and previous years suggest a maximum contribution of €15,000 for Library Systems and €5,000 for School Libraries. Eligible expenditure may include (always within the limits and procedures set out in the call): fit-out costs, purchase/rental of furniture and equipment, purchase of books, technology services (hardware/software), communication and promotion, costs for external staff or guests, and protection activities such as cataloguing and maintenance.

How to Apply

The application procedure is entirely digital and must be completed through the dedicated application available on the DG BDA website. Registration on the platform is mandatory and must be renewed every year, even for users who have registered in the past. Prospective applicants are strongly advised to read carefully the Guidelines and the FAQ section available on the official website before starting the application.

Deadline: 12:00 on 30 April 2025.

Don’t miss this opportunity!

All interested Library Systems and School Libraries are invited to consult the official documentation and prepare their application, helping to promote reading and culture in our country.