Anci Sicilia calls for municipal unions to combat depopulation

Anci Sicilia has issued a call to regional and national governments to implement a new strategy to combat demographic desertification and the chronic shortage of services in Sicily’s smaller municipalities.

According to data from Istat, there are 210 municipalities in Sicily with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. These towns serve as essential institutional presences and custodians of the island's biodiversity, culture, and traditions. However, local authorities currently struggle with anachronistic and overly complex regulations, reduced staffing, and financial instability.

To address this crisis, Anci Sicilia proposes a shift toward the creation of 'Unions of Municipalities' rather than simple bureaucratic mergers. These unions would allow small centers—specifically those with 500 to 1,500 inhabitants—to jointly manage technical and administrative offices, nurseries, schools, and transportation services. President Paolo Amenta emphasized the need for a strategic plan for repopulation rather than merely defending existing structures.