Nice to meet you
Do you have a business idea?
Do you have a business idea?
The Cammino is ready to welcome it.
New business opportunities are emerging along the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara: accommodation, dining, services for pilgrims, experiences, crafts, and more. Thanks to financial tools and non-repayable grants, with the support of Banco di Sardegna, transforming an idea into a real business is easier than ever.
No commitment — support from the Foundation is free of charge.
The context
Today, the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara is one of Sardinia’s most important territorial infrastructures. The slow, experiential, and identity-driven tourism it attracts is generating widespread economic benefits, new micro-enterprises, and local jobs — along with unmet needs: people to welcome walkers, guide them, host them, provide good food, and offer new experiences in the area.
The opportunity at a glance
A growing area, tools to build your business, someone by your side
A real market
The number of walkers grows every year and they are looking for services that are often still lacking in small villages. The demand is already there.
Non-repayable grants
Facilitated credit and non-repayable grants support those starting a new business. Applications and funding are managed by Banco di Sardegna.
What kinds of businesses can you start
The Cammino as a widespread incubator for micro-enterprises
Accommodation
Guesthouses, inns, scattered hospitality
Dining
Food stops, catering, take-away
Pilgrim services
Welcome desks, information, small useful services
Guides and trekking
Certified GAE and GT guides
Local experiences
Cultural activities, workshops, tasting events
Luggage transport & shuttle
Support services for pilgrims along the route
E-bike rental
Rental, assistance, and workshop
Local crafts
Handmade items inspired by Sardinian and mining heritage
Typical local products
Food & wine and local produce
Funding and grants
How does access to facilitated credit and grants work?
There are tools to support those starting a new business, with non-repayable grants and facilitated finance. Applications are assessed and funded by Banco di Sardegna, as part of agreements with the Foundation.
Who can apply
- Young people aged 18 to 35
- Unemployed, job-seekers, or inactive individuals
- Beneficiaries of employment programs (e.g., GOL)
- Residents of the South of Italy, including Sardinia
Key incentives
Non-repayable voucher
up to €40,000up to €50,000 for innovative, digital, or green initiatives
Non-repayable grants
75% of eligible costsup to €120,000 of investment
Larger investments
70% of eligible costs
Complementary funding
micro-credit · bank credit · SME Guarantee Fund
* Assessment and disbursement handled by Banco di Sardegna.
Usually, the business must be newly or recently established and still inactive at the time of application. This is a crucial step: it’s where preliminary support makes the difference between a simple idea and a well-prepared application.
Indicative information. Requirements, amounts, percentages, and conditions are set by current regulations and may change or become unavailable over time. The application assessment and funding are managed solely by Banco di Sardegna, as per agreements with the Foundation. The Foundation promotes the local area but does not get involved in the application and does not guarantee access to benefits.
How it works
From your idea to the bank’s assessment
1
You fill out the form
Describe your idea and provide the requested information in the form below.
2
The Foundation acts as go-between
The Foundation collects your application and forwards it to Banco di Sardegna, without entering into its content.
3
Banco di Sardegna assesses it
The Bank processes and evaluates the application according to its own criteria and will contact you with next steps.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask us most
How is my data handled?
Your data is collected by the Foundation solely to forward your application to Banco di Sardegna for assessment, as detailed in the privacy policy. You can request its deletion at any time.
What happens after I fill in the form?
The Foundation forwards your application to Banco di Sardegna, who will review it and get back to you with next steps.
Does the Foundation provide the funds?
No. The Foundation promotes the territory and offers guidance. Financial aspects and application processing are handled by Banco di Sardegna.
Do I need to already have a VAT number or a company?
You can start from just an idea. Usually, these support tools require a business that is newly or recently established and still inactive: that's why it’s helpful to get the right support from the very beginning.
Who assesses and finances my application?
Assessment and funding are solely managed by Banco di Sardegna, based on its own criteria and agreements with the Foundation. The Foundation is not involved in the reviewing process.
Does filling in the form cost anything?
No. Filling in the form and the Foundation’s preliminary support are free of charge and come with no obligations.
Take the first step
The Cammino isn’t just for walkers. It could support your business, too.
Fill out the form below: together we’ll take care of the rest.
