European Defence Fund: New calls for proposals to support European defence

It is now possible to apply for two new 2026 calls under the European Defense Fund (EDF).

The EDF supports companies from all Member States in developing defense projects that provide innovative and interoperable technologies and equipment, aiming to reduce the fragmentation of investments in the sector and strengthen European industrial competitiveness. The program has a budget of approximately €7.3 billion for the period 2021-2027 and covers 34 thematic areas aligned with the priorities set out in the Common Security and Defense Policy framework and the Capability Development Plan, as well as, where appropriate, regional priorities and the priorities of international organizations, such as NATO. For 2026, the overall budget amounts to €1 billion for defense research and development.

Proposals can be submitted for the following calls:

EDF-2026-LS-DIS-NT: Non-thematic actions targeting disruptive defense technologies. Total budget of EUR 27 million.
EDF-2026-LS-DIS-RA-SMERO-NT: Non-thematic research activities carried out by SMEs and research organisationsTotal budget of EUR 35 million.

The deadline for both calls is set for September 29, 2026.

For more information: info@iniziativa.cc

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Success Cases

Sustainability Report

Support in the preparation of the corporate sustainability report and definition of the ESG strategy and indicators for monitoring sustainable variables

Sector: Production of Plastic Materials
Turnover: €69.978.904
Date: 2023

Airtime

IPO operation on Euronext Paris; Iniziativa assisted the Airtime Partecipazioni group as a financial advisor.

Sector: Telecommunications Services
Deal: IPO
Date: 2021
Value:ND

Palitalsoft (VAR Group)

Integrated IT Services Management Project with network infrastructure for the Val Conca Union and other municipalities in the Province of Rimini

Date: 2023-2025/XNUMX/XNUMX

Diadem

Distributed Advanced Energy Management Application

Contract: Campania startUp 2020
Project cost: €427.084,00
Contribution: €298.958,80
Date: September 2023

iGUESS-MED

Innovative Greenhouse Support System in the Mediterranean Region: efficient fertigation and pest management through IoT based climate control

Program: BEFORE
Project cost: €1.733.000,00
Contribution: €1.597.700,00
Date: April 2020

Megarideas

Contract: Campania startUp 2020
Project cost: €289.377,00
Non-refundable contribution: €202.563,90
Date: July 2022

San Michele SRL Nursing Home

The company has acquired additional diagnostic equipment to expand the services offered.

Contract: ZES Credit - Article 16 of Legislative Decree No. 124 of September 19, 2023, and Article 1, paragraphs 485 to 491 of Law No. 207 of December 30, 2024
Project cost: €3.167.150,00
Contribution: €764.944,00

Southern Constructions

Public-Private Partnership project for the construction of a multi-storey underground car park in the area between Piazza Trieste – Via IV Novembre and Corso Resina (excavation area) – Ercolano (NA)

Date: 2019-2025/XNUMX/XNUMX

ARACNE

Advocating the role of Silk Art and Cultural Heritage at National and European scales

Program: Horizon
Project cost: €2.999.634,50
Contribution: €2.999.634,50
Date: March 2023

CLICK

Circular models Leveraging Investments in Cultural heritage adaptive reuse

Program: Horizon
Project cost: €4.957.033,00
Contribution: €4.957.033,00
Date: October 2017

TRACE

SMEs TRAnsition for a European Circular tourism Ecosystem

Program: SMP-COSME
Project cost: €1.251.596,12
Contribution: €1.198.436,50
Date: January 2023

Mati Group and VIS Pesaro

Redevelopment, expansion, adaptation and improvement of the “Villa Fastiggi” sports centre in Pesaro and its functional and economic management

Date: 2019-2022/XNUMX/XNUMX

Solacem F2i

Sale of the majority stake to F2i; Iniziativa acted as financial advisor to the sellers.

Sector: Infrastructure
Deal: M&A - sell side
Date: 2026
Value:ND

Sol SPA

Consultancy and support for economic-financial and procedural aspects in all phases of the procedure relating to a PPP initiative (pursuant to paragraph 15 art. 183 Legislative Decree 50/2016) relating to an intervention of "Implementation and management innovative and integrated fuel charging station for new buses powered by LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) for the ATAP of P

Sector: Industrial Gases
Date: 2021

Model 231 from 2001

Update of the company's Organization, Management and Control Model, drawn up pursuant to Legislative Decree 231 of 2001

Sector: Company subject to the management and coordination of Invitalia National Agency for Attracting Investments and Business Development SpA
Turnover: €11.444.972,00
Date: 2020

Municipality of Ragusa

Technical support for the development and verification of the economic and financial rebalancing conditions of the concession stipulated with Porto Turistico Marina di Ragusa SpA

Date: 2020-2025/XNUMX/XNUMX

SAMBA

Development of an aeronautical seat with the use of innovative technologies and materials for additive manufacturing and proposal of an innovative, sustainable and integrated Business Model in the industry 4.0 perspective

Contract: Smart Factory, Agrifood and Life Sciences
Project cost: €2.121.216,25
Contribution to spending: €870.099,88
Concessionary Financing: €424.243,25
Date: April 2023

Technical assistance

Technical assistance for programs and interventions co-financed with the ERDF ESF+ 2021-2027 Regional Program, with resources from the Development and Cohesion Fund (FSC 2021-2027).

Sector: Technical Assistance
Date: 2025

SAMBA

Development of an Aeronautical seat using innovative technologies and materials for additive manufacturing and proposal of an innovative, sustainable and integrated Business Model in the Industry 4.0 perspective

Contract: Sustainable Growth Fund – “Intelligent Factory” Help Desk PON I&C 2014-2020, pursuant to Ministerial Decree 5 March 2018 Chapter III
Project cost: €213.333,75
Non-refundable contribution: €149.333,63
Concessionary Financing: €42.666,75
Date: March 2020

“NGR-25”

NEXT GREEN REVOLUTION

Contract: Innovation Agreement
Project cost: €9.140.577,74
Contribution to spending: €4.495.275,01
Date: November 2022

GEVEN SpA

Construction of a new production unit for the manufacture of aircraft seats

Contract: Law 181/89 and subsequent amendments.
Project cost: €10.441.948
Non-refundable contribution: €2.014.000
Concessionary Financing: €5.220.000
Date: October 2017

Giffoni Innovation Hub

CDP Venture Capital, Opes Lcef Trust, and Sefea Impact invest in Giffoni Innovation Hub; Iniziativa is a financial and strategic advisor.

Sector: Academic & Educational Services
Deal: Venture Capital
Date: 2022
Value: 2.000.000,00

INTEN-T

Study for the creation of the integrated intermodal logistics system in Port of Taranto back area

Program: TEN – T
Project cost: €1.865.000,00
Contribution: €932.500,00
Date: October 2014

San Michele SRL Nursing Home

The company has acquired additional diagnostic equipment to expand the services offered.

Contract: ZES Credit - Article 16 of Legislative Decree 19.09.2023 n. 124
Project cost: €850.920,00
Contribution: €340.367,00

Technical assistance

Technical support activities to the CPT Regional Unit of Bolzano for the analysis of economic-financial and equity data and processing of economic, financial, management and ESG performance indicators of the complex of Local Public Enterprises (around 115 entities) with a focus on investee companies with direct participation from the Province (22 entities)

Sector: Investee Companies - performance analysis
Date: 2023
Value of turnover of the companies analyzed: From €3 million to €169 million

Beste SpA

Iniziativa acted as financial advisor assisting Beste in the sale of the majority shares in favor of Hind – Industrial Holding

Sector: Fashion & Apparel
Deal: M&A - sell side
Date: 2023 - 2024
Value:ND

Italrom Engineering

Egis acquires 100% of the capital of the ITR group, an engineering company based in Romania and Poland headed by a group of entrepreneurs from Campania. Iniziativa assisted them as a 360° advisor.

Sector: Construction & Engineering
Deal: M&A - sell side
Date: 2023
Value:ND

CA.MPANIA

MEASUREMENT CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMERS: NON-INVASIVE ANALYSIS

Contract: Campania startUp 2020
Project cost: €78.862,00
Contribution: €67.032,70
Date: June 2023

Sandro Ferrone

Iniziativa, acting as financial advisor, assisted Ferrone in the issuance of a €2,5 million minibond under the Basket Bond Lazio program, to support brand development, retail expansion, and digital investments.

Sector: Women's Fashion / Fashion & Retail
Deal: Minibond
Date: 2025
Value: 2.500.000,00

Pfe

Contract for the awarding of concessions for interventions and services aimed at containing ICA and reducing the environmental impact of the Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania.

Date: 2025

€1.9 billion Production investments supported | €435 billion Investments in Research & Innovation subsidized | 200 active customers with hundreds of completed transactions | 100 Project Financing/PPP Operations Supported | €1.9 billion Production investments supported | €435 billion Investments in Research & Innovation subsidized | 200 active customers with hundreds of completed transactions | 100 Project Financing/PPP Operations Supported |