Notice of expression of interest SGEI 2026

By resolution of the Provincial Council no. 2222 of 23 December 2024, the new 'Criteria and methods for implementing Article 61, paragraph 2, letter a) and paragraph 3 of the 2010 provincial law on commerce - Interventions to encourage the establishment and permanence of economic activities in mountain areas', hereinafter referred to as 'criteria', were approved.

These criteria provide, inter alia, that the Autonomous Province of Trento may entrust companies that manage food and basic necessity retail businesses, located in particular localities, with the performance of the services of general economic interest (SGEI) identified by the criteria themselves, subject to verification by the competent municipalities of the most necessary needs of the population of the locality concerned. In return for carrying out the services envisaged, the entrusted company may request aid to compensate for the costs incurred, in accordance with the procedures governed by the criteria.

The publication of the"SGEI 2026 Expression of Interest Notice" is intended to solicit expressions of interest from companies meeting the requirements set out below in order to carry out the services described.

The expression of interest sent constitutes an indication of willingness to carry out the identified activities, which may be followed by an acknowledgement by the Autonomous Province of Trento and the consequent possibility for the company to apply for aid by way of compensation for the costs incurred, in accordance with the procedures and timeframes set out in the criteria.

It is understood that the Province is not bound in any way to the continuation of the procedure relating to this notice, and those who express their willingness to do so may not make any claims in this regard.

Only multi-service activities carried out after the date of withdrawal of the distinctive sign provided for in the Resolution of the Provincial Council no. 2778 of 3 December 2010 in Annex D are taken into consideration for the purposes of the relief.

The appointed companies must display on the outside of the shop concerned

• the distinctive sign of the multi-service activity
• the opening hours;
• the list of services offered, specifying those that are free of charge.

All activities must be accessible to the public for at least 6 days a week for at least 3 hours a day, or for at least 5 days a week, provided that at least one day they are accessible for a total of at least 6 hours divided between morning and afternoon.

Suspension of the activity is permitted for a maximum of 40 natural days in the calendar year in question, or for a period proportionate to the duration of the assignment, to be notified by PEC to the competent service no later than the day after the beginning of the suspension.

Only companies operating food and basic necessities retail businesses may express interest:

• registered in the Trento Register of Companies
• having their registered office and/or local operating unit that will provide SGEIs in the provincial territory
• with no pending bankruptcy proceedings
• with a turnover of less than € 591,560
• with a number of employees (excluding proprietors, family members and apprentices) of less than 2.5 full-time equivalent units
• with a sales area of between 50 and 300 square metres;
• that guarantee a minimum opening time of 3 hours a day for at least 6 days a week (or 5 days with specific conditions);
• which have not installed gaming machines (slot machines)

and which are located in mountain areas

• with a minimum of 100 inhabitants;
• with no other similar shops of a permanent nature;
• at least 2 km away from other similar shops of a permanent character (unless an exception is certified by the municipality);
• with an altitude of at least 500 metres (unless an exception is attested by the municipality).

The expression of interest must be submitted exclusively in telematic mode to the certified e-mail box of the Service responsible for commerce, under penalty of ineligibility, by following these steps

1. carefully read the"SGEI 2026 Expression of Interest Notice"
1. fill in the form for the submission of the expression of interest, indicating the multi-service activities that you intend to carry out (at least four)
2. have the form signed by the company's legal representative
3. attach a photocopy of a valid identification document of the legal representative;
4. send all documentation exclusively by PEC to the address "serv.artcom@pec.provincia.tn.it", indicating in the subject line "Expression of interest in the performance of Services of General Economic Interest in mountain areas for the year 2026".

• completed and signed expression of interest form
• copy of a valid identification document of the undersigned;
• any attestation by the Municipality regarding the requirements of the location;
• any conventions or agreements already in place in the case of activities 1), 4), 5) and 8).

Interested companies may express their interest no later than 12 noon on Friday 24 October 2025.

It is possible to request information and clarifications on this procedure by submitting written questions to the Crafts and Trade Service at the pec address serv.artcom@pec.provincia.tn.it by 12 noon on Thursday 16 October 2025.

Participation in the procedure is free of charge.