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September 29, 2020Facebook today announced the launch of a grant program, worth € 2 million, aimed at over 580 small businesses based in Milan and Rome (and neighboring areas), where the social network has an office.

It is a combination of financial contributions and advertising credits to help small businesses restart, restructure and reorganize their businesses, making grants available for essential expenses - for example helping them pay employees - and providing advertising credits to help SMEs. to generate revenue through online marketing and sales.

Applications are open from today: eligible companies can apply to the Facebook web page dedicated to small businesses.



Facebook Italia has also launched the second phase of #piccolegrandimprese, a program launched in July, which from September until the end of December offers "Facebook Business Open Days", free monthly webinars, with live-chat with Facebook experts and Shopify partners. Talent Garden and Freeformers, to which interested SMEs can participate by registering online.



The research: SMEs in difficulty


A survey - Global State of Small Business Report - conducted by Facebook with the OECD and the World Bank revealed that cash flow is a concern for most small and medium-sized businesses.

66% of Italian SMEs suffered a drop in sales compared to the same month last year and 27% reduced the number of employees following the Covid-19 pandemic.



"The Covid-19 crisis is much more than a public health crisis, it is a profound economic crisis - said Luca Colombo, Country director of Facebook Italy -. Small businesses have been hit hard and we are aware that they need liquidity, training and support for digitalization, as consumer purchasing habits are shifting to digital. In Italy, in fact, in recent months, 48% of people have increased online purchases, and 20% of active SMEs on Facebook has stated that in the last month over 50% of its business has been achieved exclusively through digital channels. Transforming your business from a digital point of view therefore becomes a priority that must not be ignored in order to overcome the crisis and undertake the recovery ".