Emilia-Romagna
About the region
Emilia-Romagna, with a population of around 4.46 million (as of January 2022), has 12.8% of residents with non-Italian citizenship, the highest percentage in Italy. Migration, which began in the late 1990s and surged over the past 20 years, is crucial for balancing the region’s demographic trends amid low birth rates and an aging population.
The Regional Department of Social Planning addresses these challenges through policies for inclusion, co-designing integration strategies, financing local projects, and participating in national decision-making processes.
Our intercultural integration approach
The Emilia-Romagna Region recognises migration as a fundamental part of its social framework, addressing it through Regional Law no. 5/2004. The current Programme “For a plural, fair and inclusive Emilia-Romagna region” (2022-2024) aims to provide comprehensive, multi-sectoral responses to both stable and unexpected migration flows. The goal is to enhance inclusion, combat inequalities, and promote fair policies for people with migration background.
This Programme was developed through a participatory process involving over 500 stakeholders, including public and Third Sector Organisations and people with migration background.
More information about the strategy can be found in the document “Building Inclusive Societies: Regional Strategies for Intercultural Integration”, while the original version in the local language is accessible at “Get the Tool” page of the EU-Belong website.
Looking ahead
Emilia-Romagna decided to start the implementation of the established strategy with the pilot project “YoungReno: implementing street education activities for youth with migration background”. A detailed evaluation will be performed before the end of the project.
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