Italy's youth face participation hurdles, panel says at Trento economics festival

At the opening session of the Festival dell’Economia in Trento 2026, a panel of scholars, politicians and analysts examined the relationship between young Italians and democracy. Participants, including Antonio Campati (Università Cattolica), Florence mayor Sara Funaro, Ipsos‑Doxa researcher Andrea Scavo, provincial council president Claudio Soini, vice‑president Mariachiara Franzoia and Veneto region president Alberto Stefani, argued that declining voter turnout among 18‑28‑year‑olds is linked to economic, labour and social conditions rather than apathy.

The discussion highlighted that young people stay politically engaged through influencers and digital platforms, demanding faster, more transparent tools. Panelists warned that institutions must adopt new communication languages to reach this audience. Critics noted the debate omitted the material barriers that prevent many youths from entering politics, such as the need for unpaid internships, travel costs and lack of structured training programs. Comparisons were drawn with Anglo‑Saxon countries where paid fellowships and think‑tank pathways support political involvement. Business leader Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna, cited in a related article, stressed the need to build “a bridge between generations” to make Italy a country for its youth.