The project

The restoration and enhancement of Palazzo Dovara, following its visionary acquisition by the Municipality of Isola Dovarese, has been made possible through the combined contribution of several funding programmes and the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of professionals, who developed the project within a broader strategy for the cultural and territorial enhancement of the area.

The principal project, Hamlets of Culture and Wellbeing, was funded through Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR – NextGenerationEU) under Mission M1C3 – Investment 2.1, Attractiveness of Historic Villages, as a Local Cultural and Social Regeneration Project. Additional support was provided by the Fondazione Cariplo programme Progetti Comuni, which enabled the creation of two artist residences, the restoration of the inner façade of Palazzo Dovara, and the development of complementary activities including the communication strategy, the management model and a programme of cultural engagement. Further contributions came from the Regione Lombardia Local Simplified Agreement (Accordo Locale Semplificato), which supported the creation of spaces for local businesses and the Pro Loco of Isola Dovarese, while GAL Oglio Po contributed to the completion of the interior furnishings. Through the Invitalia PNRR programme, the cultural organisations and businesses involved in the project established their new operational headquarters within Palazzo Dovara.

The multidisciplinary team behind the project included: Cooperativa Ce.L.I.T, Cooperativa, Officina 11, Avanzi S.p.A., Ciclica Srl, Confcommercio Imprese per l'Italia – Province of Cremona, Technical and specialist contributions were provided by: MetroQ Engineering Srl – architectural, structural and building services engineering design; Architect Sara Bodini – conservation design and liaison with the Heritage Authority; Architect Giorgio Palù – design of the Music Room; Politecnico di Milano – acoustic performance assessment; Architect Erica Ghidetti – Project Manager for the Municipality of Isola Dovarese; Architect Federico Bianchessi – technical support to the Project Manager and overall project coordination.