In 2025, a new and significant measure was introduced to support entrepreneurship in Southern Italy: Resto al Sud 2.0, established by the 2024 Cohesion Decree (Art. 18, DL No. 60/2024).
The program was created to support new businesses and professionals in Southern Italy, providing subsidized financing and non-repayable grants to those who want to start or grow a business—with a particular focus on strategic sectors such as food service, tourism, and local services.
For those operating in the province of Lecce, especially in the professional restaurant industry, this initiative can represent a real turning point: a way to launch new business projects, modernize professional kitchens, and invest in technological and sustainable solutions.
How Resto al Sud 2.0 Works
Here are the key elements of the new program, useful for those looking for restaurant funding in Lecce or financing for new businesses in Lecce and the surrounding area:
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Non-repayable grant of up to 75% of the total investment, with a maximum amount of up to €50,000 per applicant, depending on the type of project.
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Possibility to combine grant vouchers and low-interest financing, minimizing the initial financial burden.
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Eligible applicants include entrepreneurs, freelancers, and companies with an operational headquarters in Southern regions, including Apulia.
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Eligible expenses include: equipment, furnishings, professional kitchen systems, restaurant machinery, management software, renovation work, and process digitalization.
The total budget of the program exceeds €350 million, with particular attention to innovative, sustainable, and energy-efficient projects.
Financing and the Restaurant Industry in Lecce: A Strategic Match
The Salento area—from Lecce to the coastal and inland towns—is experiencing growing demand for high-quality dining and experiential tourism.
Resto al Sud 2.0 offers the opportunity to enhance this potential by providing real financial support to:
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open new restaurants, pizzerias, bistros, or steakhouses;
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modernize professional kitchens with high energy-efficiency equipment;
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launch culinary, pastry, or bakery workshops;
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develop innovative formats such as take-away, delivery, or food trucks;
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digitalize restaurant management with software for orders and payments;
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improve environmental impact with low-consumption solutions aligned with the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM).
For those seeking restaurant financing in Lecce, this is a chance to bring to life a business project rooted in Salento’s culinary traditions.
Benefits for Those Starting a New Business in the Ho.Re.Ca. Sector
The Resto al Sud 2.0 program does more than provide financial resources; it promotes a sustainable and long-lasting business model.
Key advantages for the restaurant industry in Lecce and its province include:
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reduced initial investment thanks to the non-repayable grant;
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the ability to finance professional kitchens, systems, furnishings, and equipment;
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additional incentives for digital and innovative projects;
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priority for businesses that create youth and female employment;
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simplified access through the online procedure on the Invitalia portal.
An Opportunity Also for Suppliers and Industry Consultants
Professionals like Antonio Nocera and the company Cookin in Martano, operating in the design and supply of professional kitchens, can integrate this incentive into their consulting services.
Cookin, with over thirty years of experience in professional food service and official partner of Angelo Po Grandi Cucine, can guide future entrepreneurs in choosing the most suitable equipment and preparing the funding application.
➡️ Offering a complete “design + financing + equipment” service allows providers to support clients at every stage: from venue planning to the supply of energy-efficient solutions, all the way to installation and staff training.
How to Submit the Application
Applications are submitted exclusively online through the Invitalia portal, following these steps:
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Register the business or professional profile.
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Upload the business plan, including financial projections, cost–revenue analysis, and employment goals.
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Submit documentation regarding the planned investments (machinery, systems, furnishings, software, etc.).
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Wait for evaluation and approval by the managing authority.
It is advisable to consult an expert or a technical partner for investment planning and for choosing equipment that meets the program’s requirements.
Conclusions
The new Resto al Sud 2.0 program represents a concrete growth opportunity for anyone wishing to invest in the restaurant industry in Lecce and the surrounding area.
Thanks to subsidized financing and non-repayable grants, opening a new venue or upgrading a professional kitchen is now much more accessible.
If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a professional in the food service sector in Salento, check the deadlines and get ready to seize this chance to build a solid, innovative, and sustainable business in the heart of Apulia.
