An opportunity for municipalities that want to innovate. The contribution of Sikuel and Gruppo Maggioli.
The Calabria region provides more than £35 million to support the transition towards a Waste management model more efficient, sustainable and circular economy oriented.
With the new Public notice financed within the framework of the ERDF ESF+ Regional Programme 2021-2027 – Priority 2 “A Resilient and Sustainable Calabria”, Calabrian municipalities can access non-repayable grants of up to 100% to carry out interventions aimed at improving separate waste collection and strengthening municipal collection centres.
An important opportunity that looks not only at increasing recycling rates but also at introducing innovative management models based on digitalisation, traceability of waste disposal, and pay-as-you-throw schemes.
For this very reason, Sikuel and Gruppo Maggioli provide local authorities with comprehensive support which integrates design, specialist consultancy, software, hardware, and communication activities, supporting municipalities in all stages of the application and project implementation.
Two funding lines for innovating waste management services
The Notice provides for two specific funding lines.
Line 1 – Qualitative and quantitative improvement of separate waste collection in Municipalities
The first line has a financial allocation of 15 million euros and aims to increase the quantity and quality of separate waste collection, improving the interception of recoverable fractions and the efficiency of recycling chains.
Of particular note is the attention given to smart systems and the future introduction of pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) tariffs, in view of the regulatory obligations planned from 2028 for the measurement and accounting of residual urban waste.
The grant may cover up to 100% of eligible expenditure, subject to the following ceilings:
- up to €300,000 for Municipalities with a population of up to 10,000 inhabitants;
- up to €600,000 for Municipalities with a population between 10,000 and 30,000 inhabitants;
- up to €1,200,000 for Municipalities with a population of over 30,000 inhabitants.
Among the eligible interventions are:
- Smart bins and controlled access systems.;
- Smart ecological islands;
- RFID systems and user identification technologies;
- Software platforms and digital tools such as K-Tarip;
- IoT systems and geolocation;
- CCTV;
- Communication and citizen engagement campaigns.
Line 2 – Enhancement of the municipal collection centre network
The second line has a financial allocation of over 20 million euros and is dedicated to the creation of new collection centres or to the expansion, enhancement and technological upgrading of existing ones.
In this case too, the grant is awarded up to 100% of the eligible expenditure.
The maximum amounts that can be financed are:
- up to €250,000 for municipalities with a population of up to 5,000 inhabitants;
- up to €300,000 for Municipalities with a population between 5,000 and 10,000 inhabitants;
- up to €400,000 for Municipalities with a population between 10,000 and 30,000 inhabitants;
- up to €500,000 for municipalities with a population exceeding 30,000 inhabitants.
Among other things, eligible for funding are:
- New municipal collection centres;
- Extension and adaptation of existing structures;
- Weighing and access control systems;
- Waste management software;
- Remote control and video surveillance systems;
- Smart infrastructure and data collection systems;
- Outreach and awareness activities.
A tender that rewards digitalisation, innovation, and pay-as-you-throw
A particularly interesting aspect of the Notice concerns the evaluation criteria.
The Calabria Region attributes significant importance to projects that introduce innovative technologies, waste delivery measurement systems, and digital tools capable of improving service efficiency.
For Line 1, up to 40 points out of 100 are allocated to elements such as:
- RFID systems and user identification technologies;
- Smart bins;
- Point measurement tools for contributions;
- Digital platforms;
- Online portals and services for citizens;
- Management Dashboards;
- Projects focused on pay-as-you-go pricing.
Further points are awarded to the Customer communication and engagement activities through innovative tools, apps and digital services.
They also play a central role for Line 2:
- Workflow management software;
- Smart systems for collection centres;
- Data collection and analysis;
- Reward systems for citizens;
- Organisational models oriented towards pay-as-you-go.
Furthermore, the call for proposals recognises the strategic importance of communication and user engagement activities, which may be funded up to 10% of the project’s total value.
How Sikuel and Gruppo Maggioli can help Municipalities build competitive projects
Applications must be submitted through the regional platform “Partecipa Calabria” within 90 days of the Call for Proposals being published in the Official Bulletin of the Calabria Region (BURC). Participation in the Call requires technical expertise, knowledge of regulations, and the ability to integrate technologies, organise services, and involve citizens.
For this reason, we propose a turnkey approach that accompanies municipalities from the design phase through to the implementation of interventions.
Design and specialist consultancy
We support bodies, together with a team of Environmental Engineers, in defining the project proposal, identifying the solutions most consistent with the objectives of the call for proposals and the expected evaluation criteria.
The objective is to build projects that enhance all rewarding elements and maximise funding opportunities.
K-TARIP: the platform for waste sorting and pay-as-you-throw charging
Ours K-TARIP solution allows integrated management of all processes related to separate waste collection and pay-as-you-throw.
Among the available features:
- Distribution of user kits;
- Certification of collection and services;
- Fleet operations management;
- CRM and Workforce Management;
- Tariff simulation;
- Integration with the Authority's management systems;
- Digital services and portals dedicated to citizens.
These are tools that directly meet the award criteria set out in the Notice, contributing to an increased score in the ranking.
Hardware and smart technologies
Sikuel integrates its software platforms with devices and technologies dedicated to waste sorting.
- Smart bins;
- Smart ecological islands;
- RFID and UHF systems;
- On-board handhelds and tablets;
- GPS devices;
- Weighing systems;
- Information totems;
- Access control and authorisation systems.
Solutions for municipal collection centres
For Line 2, we can support Municipalities in the design and implementation of advanced collection centres through:
- Waste management systems;
- Integration with pay-as-you-go pricing;
- Reward systems for citizens;
- Flow monitoring software;
- Smart infrastructure for the control and management of utilities;
- Dedicated collection systems for WEEE, textiles, used oils, and other specific waste streams.
Citizen communication and engagement
The call recognises a strategic role all communication, information and awareness-raising activities.
This is why we also support municipalities in the design and implementation of:
- Multichannel information campaign;
- App and digital services;
- Chatbots and user support tools;
- Educational activities for schools;
- Citizen engagement initiatives.
An opportunity to seize to build tomorrow's service
The new notice from the Calabria Region represents an important opportunity to invest in innovation, digitalisation and sustainability, while also anticipating the regulatory changes that will affect the sector in the coming years.
Thanks to the combination of design skills, specialist consultancy, and dedicated waste management software and hardware, Sikuel and Gruppo Maggioli are the ideal partners to support Municipalities in defining projects capable of generating value for the territory and responding effectively to the criteria set out in the call for proposals.
For more information, please contact us on 0932 667555 / 348 6185167, or write to us at commerciale@sikuel.it or fill in the form and we'll get back to you.
In the photo is the Palazzo Trono of the Municipality of Cetraro, in the province of Cosenza. Copyright Municipality of Cetraro.
