Bologna
A pioneer of inclusive policies
Key Takeaways
- 1
Bologna’s local administration has longstanding experience in designing solidarity migrant policies dating back to the mid-1990s. This expertise has provided an important foundation for today's concept of the “solidarity city”.
- 2
Citizens-led organisations have been an important and lively component of Bologna’s social life. They cooperate with the public sector and increase the reach of its innovative measures.
- 3
The left-wing, self-managed and autonomous Social Centres in Bologna provide crucial services to refugees through collective and volunteer work.
What is unique about the city?
A long history of pro-migrant policies: The city has had a long tradition of leftist governments and a pro-migrant agenda since the 1980's. Today, the city cooperates successfully with neighbouring municipalities, especially on health-related matters. Among the most important projects in the city are the civic-led medical clinic in the city centre and the first LGBTIQ welcome centre.
“Bologna has always been a progressive city and plans to stay this way. [...] For the future, our aim is to live in solidarity with each other and to try and work together. ”
Virginio Merola, Mayor of Bologna (2011-2021)
What is the focus of local migration policies?
Consolidating social services: One of Bologna’s most innovative policy approaches has involved integrating different social services (access to housing, health and social support) into one municipal agency. This has made it easier to provide these services more effectively, especially to vulnerable and elderly people.
What are the key factors?
City and civil society working together: The collaboration between public as well as private organisations and an active civil society is an ongoing feature of the city's governance. This collaboration has been key to the introduction of Bologna’s inclusive and innovative policies, especially in health and social services, and in the city’s reception system.
Political activities and advocacy beyond the city level
An ad-hoc inter-municipal cooperation with municipalities around Bologna facilitates the exchange of both competencies and knowledge in several fields, including refugee inclusion. At the national level, the municipality adopted a more determined political position when in 2018 it objected to the anti-migrant security decree drafted by former Interior Minister Salvini. Internationally, the city gained visibility between 2016 and 2018 through its “Welcoming Bologna” project, dedicated to capacity-building in the public and private sector in order to “create welcoming cities for new citizens”.
Download the full city report
The city report contains more information about the city’s migration and inclusion policies and selected local approaches. Report from 2021, updated in 2023.