Italian communities address youth migration and development

Local initiatives in Italy are addressing the challenges faced by younger generations, focusing on both psychological support and the socio-economic drivers of migration from marginal areas.

In Cislago, a public meeting titled ‘Giovani ma adulti: accompagnare i figli fra le scelte, le incertezze e il futuro’ was held at Villa Isacchi. Led by psychologists from the Associazione La Città di Smeraldo ETS, the event provided guidance for parents on supporting adolescents through university and career choices. The municipality also introduced ‘Scelgo la mia direzione’, a free orientation program for high school students.

In Macchia d’Isernia, the presentation of Ignazio Catauro’s book, ‘Quando il futuro non abita più qui’, will examine why youth leave marginal territories. The work explores how depopulation, lack of services, and limited job opportunities impact small communities. Catauro argues that addressing these issues requires moving beyond nostalgia to implement policies that regenerate these spaces and create viable conditions for young people to live and work.