Gal Barbagia announces €1.3 million in funding for artisan companies in Sardinia
31 Businesses Funded, Supporting Innovation in Artisanal Enterprises
GAL Barbagia has successfully funded 31 businesses, an impressive achievement made possible through the extension of the funding ranking initially published last July for the call for proposals titled “Investing in Innovative Technologies for Artisan Enterprises.” This result includes 9 additional businesses that initially were deemed eligible but left unfunded due to limited resources.
Unlocking New Resources
“The 9 additional businesses were initially eligible but could not be funded due to a lack of financial resources,” explains Claudia Carboni, Administrative Manager at GAL Barbagia. “Thanks to negotiations with the Regional Department of Agriculture, we secured the necessary funds to finance all eligible applications on the list, amounting to approximately €450,000.”
The initial financial allocation for the call was €71,000. Through a resource reallocation by the Board of Directors, this figure was increased to €948,000. Subsequent discussions with the Regional Department further boosted the total funding to €1.3 million. This significant increase allowed the program to fund 31 of the 39 applications submitted.
Who Benefited?
The funded projects span across six municipalities:
• 14 in Fonni
• 8 in Orani
• 4 in Oliena
• 2 each in Orgosolo and Orotelli
• 1 in Ottana
The support is provided as a capital grant covering 75% of eligible expenses, with a maximum grant amount of €50,000 per project.
Promoting Innovation in Artisan Enterprises
“This call is designed to support innovative craftsmanship,” notes GAL Barbagia. “It funds artisan activities aimed at innovating practices, materials, and products through design, creativity, and advanced technologies. Eligible investments include numerical control machines, 3D modeling tools, and e-commerce platforms to promote artisanal products in new markets.”
The funding supports a variety of crafts, including:
• Woodworking and metalworking (including artistic craftsmanship, masks, and jewelry)
• Tailoring, leather goods, and footwear
• Ceramics, weaving, and basketry
• Knifemaking and glassworking
• Stone and marble carving
• Food production, including pastries, pasta, and bread
A Milestone for Local Artisanship
“With this third edition, we aimed to leave a tangible mark of our commitment to craftsmanship,” says Paolo Puddu, President of GAL Barbagia. “We are proud that more than 30 businesses received funding, thanks especially to the Regional Department’s support, which enabled us to assist nine additional enterprises.
Since 2018, GAL Barbagia has allocated €2.5 million across seven funding calls for the artisanal sector. This commitment reflects the needs and priorities expressed by businesses during stakeholder meetings. We firmly believe this investment will yield significant benefits for our territory, fostering growth, employment, and prosperity for the entire community.”
Final Rankings and Further Information
The final rankings and additional details are available on the GAL Barbagia website under the funding section: www.galbarbagia.it.
This initiative stands as a testament to the power of strategic investments in supporting local craftsmanship and driving economic growth in Sardinia.
