Torino is a major destination for asylum seekers in Italy, receiving a large number of them also from other parts of the country. Therefore, the major initiatives of the local authority in the fields of diversity and integration policies are related to the first reception and socio-economic integration of this group. There is no specific focus on diversity in service provision, the underlying approach being to make all general services equally accessible to all people regularly residing in the city.

Asylum seekers and refugees as well as municipality’s operators, organizations and enterprises.

Torino is one of the eight Italian cities involved. Activities implemented within the IntegRARsi project fall under four major thematic areas: 1) training for local operators and service providers concerning asylum seekers and refugees issues; 2) orientation and information services for asylum seekers in the major areas of settlement; 3) social and labour integration of asylum seekers and refugees through language courses, skills certification, training apprenticeships, and courses for building job-seeking skills; 4) awareness raising campaigns and educational activities aiming at creating a broader culture of protection of asylum seekers and refugees and other vulnerable groups.

40 asylum seekers and refugees were provided with training and employment support. Workshops training of operators and other educational activities were organised.

The project has been positively evaluated – both qualitatively and quantitatively. Challenges were identified in the shortage of support structures.

The project was funded by the European programme EQUAL (phase 2)