ESIT Portsmouth meeting Sept Chiara Cavagnini - Annalisa Lodrini Camilla Lombardi - Alessia Folcio

Italian legal framework Italian laws concerning immigration are two: - Law nr. 40/1998 aka Turco/Napolitano: the first immigration law related to different issues such as housing, employment, education, welfare and health care. This law has been modified by - Law nr. 189/2002 aka Bossi/Fini, which imposed some more restrictions concerning the possibility of staying in Italy. Mare Nostrum now turned into Frontex + are policies implemented to deal with the so- called “desembarkments emergency”

Housing Authorities have no specific obligations towards immigrant citizens concerning housing and accomodation, unless for refugees and asylum seekers, according to the International Law. On the other hand, foreign non EU citizens willing to reside in Italy have to be in possession of: an income, a house and the due documents. Citizens in need (with or without immigration background) can benefit of welfare services concerning housing, as established by the Italian Law

Italian as second language School is compulsory for learners from 6 – 16 years of age, for them additional Italian language courses are provided at school. Local authorities provide courses for adult learners having the obligation to get an Italian Language certification (A2 level) to obtain their residence permit, according to the Accordo di integrazione (Integration Agreement)

Education All children from 6 to 16 years of age have the right to education, even if they are residing in Italy “illegally” (without resicence permit), and are included in schools and classes with other learners of the same age. Learners' families have to inform teachers about the education path already attended abroad. MIUR (the Italian Education and University Ministry) defined the process of recognition of qualifications obtained abroad.

Employment The Italian government provides to all its citizens (including foreign-born citizens in possession of residence permit) specific services aimed at finding job opportunities through its employment agencies. Further services are provided for people with special needs (unemployed, disabled people, ex-convicted, etc.) included in specific welfare programmes.

Health care Italian and foreign-born citizens with residence permit have access to the Italian public health care system, as well as social services. Basic health care services (first aid) are guaranteed to foreign-born citizens without residence permit.

The above mentioned services are funded by local authorities, regional governments (which are in charge of distributing European funding) and the National government. Education and language courses for adults are provided by public institutions and/or non profit organizations..

Migrant communities involment Some welfare projects concerning the above mentioned issues might involve migrant communities and associations when managed by non profit organisations. There are not specific laws regulating this kind of cooperation.

Migrant communities' legal status Most of the organisations are non profit associations having religious or social support purposes. At a local level, these associations are usually involved in specific projects concerning their communities (mediation, integration support, providing information to their communities, etc.) and carried out by local authorities and non profit organisations.