The Abruzzo Region has published the Public Notice – Measure 1.2.2 ‘Digitalisation of SMEs’, as part of the Abruzzo ERDF Regional Programme 2021–2027.
The measure makes €10 million available to support digital investments by businesses in Abruzzo and to encourage the introduction of solutions capable of improving organisation, processes, commercial strategies and the ability to operate via digital channels.
For many businesses, this may represent an opportunity to tackle projects already included in their business plans but which have so far been postponed: integrating systems that do not communicate with one another, automating manual tasks, organising data more effectively, upgrading their CRM, utilising artificial intelligence in processes, or developing new digital sales channels.
The value of the call for proposals, therefore, extends beyond simply providing funding for a technological investment. It can serve as an opportunity to define more clearly which business processes to improve and what outcomes to achieve through digitalisation.
A call for proposals to support structured digitalisation projects
One of the most significant aspects of the call for proposals concerns the approach with which the project must be structured.
During the presentation meeting for the call held in Pescara, it was repeatedly emphasised that the scheme is not designed simply to fund the isolated purchase of software or technology.
The application must clearly outline the initiative the company intends to carry out, the needs that gave rise to it and the expected results.
Even relatively simple projects can therefore be consistent with the call for proposals, provided they form part of a comprehensible and concrete digital innovation strategy. During the meeting, for example, reference was also made to the automation of tasks that are currently carried out manually as a possible digital innovation project.
This approach makes the phase preceding the choice of technology particularly important.
Before considering which software to use, it is useful to understand where the company wishes to make changes and what improvements it aims to achieve.
What types of initiatives may be included in digitalisation projects
The Call for Proposals covers various technological and organisational areas.
The areas indicated include:
- digital sales and marketing channels;
- integrated systems for the management of business and commercial processes;
- process automation;
- cloud and SaaS solutions;
- artificial intelligence;
- data management and utilisation;
- cybersecurity;
- advanced digital technologies.
During the presentation of the call for proposals, examples relating to e-commerce, digital brand enhancement, subscription-based software and the automation of operational activities were also discussed. The principle repeatedly emphasised is that individual activities must be linked to the overall project for the digitalisation of the business.
For this reason, the technologies eligible for funding can be assessed primarily in terms of the results they can help to generate.
How to identify a digital project that will benefit the business
The call for proposals can also be used as an opportunity to clarify digital priorities.
An initial analysis can begin with some very practical questions:
- Which tasks currently take up the most of people’s time?
- Where is the same data entered multiple times?
- What information is not readily available when needed?
- Which business systems still operate in isolation?
- Which business processes could be managed more effectively?
- Which tasks could be automated?
- Where could artificial intelligence genuinely support people’s work?
These needs can form the basis for a more robust project than an approach that starts directly with the technology to be purchased.
This principle is particularly relevant because, as emerged during the presentation of the call for proposals, the evaluation takes into account the consistency between the project, the investment and the expected results.
Deadlines for submitting applications
Applications may be submitted via the Abruzzo Region’s online portal:
- from 10.00 on 21 September 2026 to 10.00 on 12 October 2026.
A particularly important operational detail was also clarified during the meeting in Pescara.
The procedure involves processing applications on a day-by-day basis. Within the same day, it therefore makes no difference whether an application is submitted at 10.00 or at a later time; however, it may be important to submit it during the first few days the portal is open.
If the available resources are exhausted by the applications submitted initially, applications submitted on subsequent days may not be considered.
For this reason, it is advisable to use the weeks leading up to the opening of the application window to finalise the project and prepare the necessary information.
Studioware’s support in defining the project
Studioware can support businesses during the technological design phase, starting with their operational needs and translating these into structured initiatives consistent with the areas covered by the call for proposals.
The analysis may cover, for example, business processes, CRM, systems integration, cloud computing, data management, automation and artificial intelligence applications.
The aim is to identify which measures can bring about tangible improvements for the company and to develop a technologically sustainable project that will remain viable even beyond the period covered by the funding.
Would you like to assess a project for the Abruzzo SME Digitalisation Call for Proposals?
If your company is considering a project relating to CRM, automation, systems integration, the cloud, data or artificial intelligence, now may be the time to assess its feasibility and develop it in preparation for the opening of the call for proposals.