Government Releases €55M to Florence, Stadium Renovation Back on Track

The Italian government has confirmed a €55 million allocation for the city of Florence under the framework of the Piani Urbani Integrati (Urban Integrated Plans). The funding is earmarked for a broad range of initiatives included in the project “Florence – City of Youth,” which aims to improve public schools, student housing, sports facilities, green areas, and cycling infrastructure.

The funds will support projects already approved and co-financed by the Metropolitan City of Florence. Their arrival will free up local resources that can now be redirected toward the long-planned renovation of the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Campo di Marte. The news, first reported by La Nazione, has now been confirmed. 

Originally, the stadium refurbishment was part of a broader urban regeneration plan that applied for European funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). However, in 2023, the European Commission ruled that the stadium project did not align closely enough with the EU’s criteria for green, inclusive urban transformation, resulting in the withdrawal of those funds.

With this latest allocation, the Italian government effectively restores the financial capacity for Florence to move forward with both its youth-focused urban renewal program and the stadium project. The municipal administration confirmed that the goal remains to deliver a modern, multifunctional stadium that meets UEFA standards in time to support Italy’s bid to host the 2032 European Football Championship.

Florence Mayor Sara Funaro emphasized that this solution was made possible through continuous dialogue with government ministries and expressed appreciation for the outcome. She also noted that a meeting is scheduled for next week at Palazzo Vecchio with representatives from UEFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and ACF Fiorentina to discuss the city’s candidacy for the Euro 2032 tournament.

The integrated urban plan will proceed as scheduled, covering a variety of strategic developments across the city—from school buildings to public parks—while enabling Florence to advance one of its most visible infrastructure projects: the transformation of the historic Franchi stadium.

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