Italian regions introduce new disability program and elderly guarantor

In Calabria, Welfare assessor Pasqualina Straface clarified the rollout of the new “Progetti di Vita” guidelines, which will be applied uniformly across the entire region from 1 March 2026. The measure aims to guarantee equal treatment for people with disabilities, with the region allocating €791,792 for 2025 and setting procedural deadlines of 15 days for initiation and up to 90 days (extendable to 180) for resolution. The plan also includes support for municipalities and social service units through standardized inter‑institutional agreements and multidimensional evaluation units.

In Lazio, the regional council approved law 187/2025 establishing an independent guarantor for citizens over 65. The office will monitor rights, receive complaints from the public, associations and institutions, and propose improvements to regional health and social services. The initiative seeks to combat discrimination, abuse and social isolation of the elderly, building on a similar role already created for disability advocacy in the region.