Italy faces significant challenges in supporting entrepreneurship, particularly for those over 35. Many grants and funding programs exclude experienced individuals who have gained the skills needed to build successful businesses. Additionally, high taxation on EU grants reduces their real impact, as businesses must pay VAT when receiving funds, purchasing materials, and making sales.
Bureaucracy is another major barrier. The process of starting a business is costly and time-consuming, with high notarial fees and lengthy approvals. By the time funds are received, many entrepreneurs are already in debt. More flexible access to loans and simplified grant applications would help innovation thrive.
In the south of Italy, large areas of land remain unused. Many of these lands require a generational shift, but younger generations often leave for the north in search of better-paying jobs. The south is the heart of Italian authenticity and high-quality products, but if this trend continues, its economic and cultural heritage will be at risk.
The effects of the pandemic have further accelerated business closures, while families, faced with financial difficulties, are less inclined to support higher education for their children. This contributes to a cycle where only 10% of children whose parents hold only a middle school diploma manage to earn a university degree, while 37% do not even complete high school. The percentage of NEETs remains high at 21%, compared to the OECD average.