Milan, January 13, 2026 – The city of Milan has officially commenced activities for its new project, ‘Italiano secondo me’ (Italian According to Me), designed to facilitate the integration of foreign residents. This comprehensive initiative will provide language workshops, educational spaces, and campus programs to help newcomers learn the Italian language.
Significant Funding for a Three-Year Integration Program
The ‘Italiano secondo me’ project has received substantial funding, totaling €1.023 million over a three-year period, allocated from the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund. This financial backing is set to significantly strengthen the city’s existing network dedicated to teaching Italian as a second language.
The project’s scope is broad, encompassing several key activities:
- 59 civic-linguistic courses: Each course will run for 80 to 100 hours, catering to diverse target groups.
- 18 educational spaces for children: These spaces are specifically designed for children aged zero to six years, aiming to support women’s attendance in the language courses.
- 80 experimental language workshops: These workshops will focus on specific themes and age groups, offering a more tailored learning experience.
- Numerous other activities: The project will also include various other initiatives to promote language acquisition and cultural integration.
Welfare and Health Councillor Emphasizes Language as Key to Integration
Lamberto Bertolé, Milan’s Councillor for Welfare and Health, underscored the critical role of language in the integration process. “The integration of people of foreign origin arriving in the city is rooted in learning our language,” Bertolé stated. “For this reason, we work every day to ensure that the widespread and integrated experimental laboratory we have built together with Third Sector partners is capable of guaranteeing an inclusive, effective, and coherent training offer, and we are satisfied and happy that our commitment has been rewarded with the allocation of a significant portion of the national budget available for this type of intervention.”
The project highlights Milan’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment for its international residents, recognizing that language proficiency is a fundamental step towards successful integration into the community.
Stay updated on news from North Milan by following our Instagram and Facebook channels. Il Gazzettino Metropolitano, established in March 2012 as a weekly print newspaper, covers news from Sesto San Giovanni, Cinisello Balsamo, Bresso, and Cusano Milanino. Since June 2019, coverage has expanded to include the municipalities of Cologno Monzese, Paderno Dugnano, and Cormano.
Context of Broader Initiatives in Milan and Lombardy
This initiative is part of a broader trend of cultural and social programs in the region. Recent news from the area includes the ‘AtleticaMente’ exhibition in Bicocca, showcasing the careers of student-athletes, and Regione Lombardia allocating €500,000 for sports events between April and September. These efforts collectively demonstrate a focus on community engagement and support across various sectors.
The ‘Italiano secondo me’ project is expected to significantly contribute to the social cohesion and cultural enrichment of Milan, fostering a more welcoming and supportive environment for its diverse population.
