The municipalities of Lecce, Gallipoli and Zapponeta in Italy’s Puglia region signed funding agreements at the regional government’s offices on 16 October 2026 for marina development, port upgrades and coastal protection projects worth more than €38 million ($42.6 million USD), financed through the Development and Cohesion Fund 2021-2027.

Puglia Regional Government

An investment of €25 million ($28 million) will fund the completion of San Cataldo marina, located approximately 10 kilometres east of Lecce and capable of accommodating around 200 vessels up to 12 metres long. The funding will cover the construction of new marine structures and quays, which are expected to improve navigational access, increase berthing capacity and provide safer moorings for recreational vessels.

The project also aims to create opportunities for boat maintenance, port services, retail, hospitality and restaurants as Lecce seeks to expand its tourism economy and develop closer ties between the city and its coastline. To support the marina’s design, the University of Salento’s Department of Engineering for Innovation and EUMER Laboratory will study coastal conditions, sediment transport, marine habitats and adaptation to climate change.

Further south, Gallipoli will receive €9.2 million ($10.3 million) to fund a 100-metre extension of the Fitto quay at its commercial port and upgrades to the Carlo e Niccolò Coppola quay, including additional berths, an expanded fish landing area and upgraded utility services. Canneto port and San Giorgio small harbour will also receive upgrades to slipways, mooring facilities and port services, alongside repairs to fishing infrastructure.

A further €3.865 million ($4.3 million) will fund the third phase of Zapponeta’s coastal defence programme, covering 1,100 metres of shoreline south of the Carapelle stream mouth. The area has experienced persistent erosion, and the project will install eight submerged natural-rock breakwaters, each around 100 metres long, to reduce wave impact, limit sand loss and encourage natural sediment deposits. The works aim to protect the coastline and local economic activities, including agriculture and the municipality’s developing seaside tourism sector.