18/11/2022 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission gave the green light on Friday 18 November for an additional €1.5 billion in funding to Italy under REACT-EU. The package, which aims to support employment, will complement an initial €4.5 billion of funding from the European Social Fund for the Italian operational programme “Active Employment Policies”. The majority of the new funding (€1.2 billion) will be used to reduce the social security contributions payable by small businesses in southern regions for their employees by 30%. The remainder will support youth employment (€139.1 million), the recruitment of women (€88.5 million) and digital and green transition training (€280,000). In total, Italy will receive €14.4 billion under REACT-EU. (HS)