Migrants applying for family benefits in Alto Adige, northern Italy, will need to know Italian or German and local culture, according to an information campaign. The measure comes into effect in 2023. Language courses will be free.
Starting in 2023, non-EU foreigners applying for provincial family allowances and child benefits in the northern autonomous bilingual province of Bolzano will need to demonstrate that they know Italian or German and attend a course on local society.
The information campaign called "Living together in Alto Adige", the region around Bolzano, kicked off on Monday, January 10. Its aim is to inform and motivate all people who will be affected by the measure to attend free courses set up for the purpose.
The project is promoted by the provincial Service of coordination for integration (Servizio coordinamento per l'integrazione).
'Knowing language, society helps integration'
Philipp Achammer, the provincial councilor in charge of the measure, said "the campaign wants to convey the message that getting to know a language and the hosting society is an opportunity for each individual to integrate in the labor market, in society and culture."
Details of the campaign will be publicized in particular on social media. A short video will be visible on YouTube channels, public buses and local trains. A leaflet (see image below) will also provide information on the campaign. All details are available at the Service of coordination for integration, which offers free individual consultations in person, on the phone (0471 411111) or remotely on the platform Teams.
