ERPAD Project: Applications Open for Sicilian Fruit-Growing Enterprises 🇮🇹
Call for expressions of interest for sicilian fruit-growing enterprises 🇮🇹
July 23rd, 2026
Within the framework of the INTERREG NEXT Italy–Tunisia Programme, the ERPAD – Eau ressource pour l’agriculture de demain project  will select up to 15 Sicilian fruit-growing enterprises interested in improving water resource management and the sustainability of their activities.
The initiative is addressed to enterprises with an operational headquarters in the provinces of Catania, Messina or Ragusa, operating in the citrus fruit, fresh fruit, nuts or exotic fruit sectors.
Support Provided
The selected enterprises will benefit from a free, tailored technical assistance programme, including:
- analysis of the enterprise’s water consumption and water requirements;
- preparation of a farm water balance;
- identification of measures to improve water-use efficiency;
- preparation of a business plan containing investment proposals;
- support in identifying funding opportunities.
The enterprises will also participate in training, cooperation and good-practice exchange activities with Italian and Tunisian businesses and research organisations.
Main eligibility requirements
Enterprises may apply if they:
- have an operational headquarters in the provinces of Catania, Messina or Ragusa;
- operate in the fruit-growing sector;
- have been active for at least two years;
- have an annual turnover of between EUR 50,000 and EUR 5 million;
- own fruit-growing land or hold it under a long-term lease;
- employ at least three people, including the legal representative;
- comply with all applicable tax, social security and administrative obligations.
The selection will be based on the economic, social and environmental information provided by the enterprises, as well as on the characteristics of the proposed investment in water saving and water-use efficiency.
How to apply
To participate, applicants must complete the online questionnaire through Microsoft Forms: Online Form ERPAD – Sicilian enterprises – Fill the form
The questionnaire is also available in PDF format among the documentation, allowing enterprises to review the questions before completing the online form.
The required documentation must be completed, signed and sent by email to: erpad@microfinanza.com
The email subject line must follow this format: Name of the enterprise / ERPAD / Province
The application will be considered valid only after:
- the Microsoft Forms questionnaire has been completed correctly;
- the signed attachments and all required supporting documents have been submitted by email.
Deadline Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. CEST on 11 September 2026.
Requests for clarification may be sent to erpad@microfinanza.com by 11 August 2026.
DOCUMENTATION
The attachments section includes:
