Milan’s ‘Liber in Libris’ Tender: A Boost for Neighborhood Bookstores
Milan, April 23, 2026 – The City of Milan has launched the ‘Liber in libris’ tender, an initiative designed to support and revitalize independent neighborhood bookstores across the city. The tender, issued by the Directorate of State Property and Heritage, offers 10 municipal spaces for concession for 12 years to those intending to open new bookstores or renovate existing ones.
The move comes amidst ongoing discussions about the challenges faced by independent bookstores in cities like Milan, particularly due to high rental costs. The ‘Liber in libris’ program seeks to address these issues by providing accessible spaces and fostering cultural growth within local communities.
Details of the Tender and Available Spaces
The tender is open until May 28, 2026, and targets individuals, companies, cooperatives, and associations, whether already established or in the process of formation. The 10 available municipal spaces vary in size from 30 to 190 square meters and are located on the ground floors of public housing buildings across all Milanese municipalities.
The primary objective is to create “a place in every neighborhood where people can stop looking only for books, but actually pause: find them, suggest them, discuss them with others, tell stories to children, without obligations.” This vision emphasizes the role of bookstores as community hubs, not just commercial outlets.
Evaluation Criteria: Emphasizing Culture and Social Impact
The selection process for the tender prioritizes cultural and social projects. A significant 70 out of 100 points are allocated to the technical offer, with a focus on:
- Quality of assortment: The range and diversity of books offered.
- Events: Organization of events in schools and public spaces.
- Partnerships: Agreements with libraries and associations.
- Opening hours: Extended weekly operating hours.
- Additional services: Services such as home delivery, buying and selling used books, and writing and reading courses.
- Concessions: Special conditions for residents of the ERP complex where the space is located, as well as for those under 18, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Projects may also include small refreshment points or complementary activities, provided they are consistent with the bookstore’s vocation and do not exceed 30% of the total surface area.
Locations of the 10 Concession Spaces
The properties are distributed across various municipalities, including:
- Via Scaldasole
- Via Palmanova
- Piazzale Dateo
- Viale Lombardia
- Corso XXII Marzo
- Via Sant’Abbondio
- Via Rimini
- Via Nikolajevka
- Via Satta
- Via Pietro Borsieri
This initiative is part of the broader Sefémm program, launched by the Department of State Property to enhance ground-floor spaces in public housing estates. Over four years, the Sefémm program has issued 24 tenders, resulting in over 150 assignments for both for-profit and non-profit activities.
A Vision for Vibrant Neighborhoods
Councillor for Budget, State Property, and Extraordinary Housing Plan, Emmanuel Conte, emphasized the significance of this initiative. “Independent bookstores,” he stated, “are much more than commercial activities. They are meeting places and communities, where people can enter without obligation and build relationships with schools, families, and associations. With this tender, as with all Sefémm tenders, we are thinking of neighborhoods with lively and lived-in places for the people who live there, and we are putting public spaces at the service of this function.”
Conte further added, “Alongside protecting what exists, we are building new opportunities: every new bookstore that opens is a concrete, cultural, and civil response to the closures that concern us.”
The full tender document and attached forms are available on the official website of the Municipality of Milan.
