On May 8, 2025, the Regione Piemonte announced a significant boost to its support for local associations, allocating an additional 1 million euros to Pro Loco and Associazioni d’Arma active in the territory. This funding is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing community engagement and cultural activities throughout the region.
This new allocation brings the total funding for these associations to 6 million euros, as it adds to the 5 million euros already distributed in September 2024. The planned interventions focus primarily on purchasing equipment for setting up structures and stages dedicated to local events, as well as improving the overall organization of these events. The goal is to enhance the quality and reach of local festivities, ensuring they resonate more deeply within the community.
The new funding will enable the financing of an additional 40 projects that were previously excluded due to a lack of funds. Of these, 25 proposals come from Pro Loco, which are local tourist promotion organizations, while 15 are from Associazioni d’Arma, which are associations representing military and veterans' interests. This expansion reflects a growing recognition of the vital role these organizations play in preserving and promoting local culture.
In the province of Turin, specifically, 180,000 euros have been allocated, with 109,800 euros designated for four Pro Loco and 70,200 euros for four Associazioni d’Arma. This targeted funding aims to bolster the activities of these organizations, which are considered essential for fostering community spirit and cultural heritage.
With the new funds, the total number of associative entities benefiting from regional support has now risen to 53, with a cumulative amount of 1,329,000 euros disbursed. This initiative has involved over 600 associative entities throughout the region, reinforcing the importance of Pro Loco and Associazioni d’Arma in promoting culture and organizing events in Piemonte.
Alberto Cirio, the President of Regione Piemonte, along with regional councilors Marina Chiarelli, Maurizio Marrone, Andrea Tronzano, and Gianluca Vignale, emphasized the necessity of this funding. Cirio remarked, “Pro Loco and Associazioni d’Arma are true social and cultural presences, deeply rooted in our communities. We are valuing those who work for the safety and quality of events, strengthening a network that animates our towns and traditions.”
Fabrizio Ricciardi, President of Unpli Piemonte, expressed satisfaction with the new support, describing it as a concrete sign of trust in the role of Pro Loco, which work passionately to enhance the territory and its cultural heritage. This sentiment underscores the collaborative spirit between regional authorities and local organizations.
Meanwhile, on May 7, 2025, the Commissione Lavoro of the Consiglio Regionale met to discuss the 2024 activity plan of Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro (APL). This meeting was deemed necessary to provide a ‘preventive’ opinion on a plan built on outdated data, with a delay of five months since the last commission meeting where the councilor had presented.
Gianna Pentenero, the group leader of the Democratic Party in the regional council, along with Monica Canalis, Vice President of the Commission, criticized the plan, stating that the development of services for work has been reduced to mere slogans that do not hold up against the complex realities of daily operations. They pointed out that 2024 marks the first year in APL's history that the agency has not had its programmatic document approved.
Pentenero and Canalis expressed their concerns, stating, “The councilor who praised the importance of enacting a law that has the merit of uniting the disciplines of work, training, and guidance has rendered all her good intentions ineffective. The law, while it contains good principles, has not yet yielded any results.” They emphasized the need for a new model that truly values the complementarity between public and private sectors, focusing on quality, proximity, and mutual learning rather than competition.
They further highlighted that the regional government was expected to draft a strategic triennial framework to be presented by November 30, which would guide the objectives assigned to APL. However, they questioned, “Where is this strategic plan?” This query reflects ongoing frustrations regarding the agency's direction and effectiveness.
Adding to the critique, they noted that APL currently employs only two managers, a stark contrast to other agencies that have at least 10 managerial positions. This under-staffing raises concerns about APL’s capacity to effectively manage its responsibilities, especially in light of the recent elimination of the Citizenship Income program.
Data from the GOL monitoring indicates that Piemonte is among the less performing regions in Northern Italy, with fewer concluded policies compared to its counterparts. Pentenero and Canalis urged the councilor to provide answers to these pressing questions and to do so with updated data from 2025, rather than relying on last year's figures.
The discussions surrounding the support for local associations and the scrutiny of APL’s activities highlight the complex interplay between regional governance and community needs. As Piemonte seeks to enhance its cultural and social fabric, the effectiveness of these initiatives will be closely monitored by both local leaders and the communities they serve.
