Pledge 19 – Milan

In January 2019, Milan became the 19th city to sign a pledge to the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Deputy Mayor for Social Policy, Health and Rights, Pierfrancesco Majorino, signed a strong commitment to principle 3 on equal opportunities for all people.

Milan is committed to develop and deliver social inclusion strategies for people in vulnerable situations, including migrants, asylum-seekers and unaccompanied minors. The city has already hosted thousands of refugees and asylum-seekers in its CAS (first-level Emergency Reception Centre) and SPRAR (second-level System for the Protection of Asylum-seekers and Refugees).

Milan pledges to invest over €2 million, including national and EU funds, in 2019-2021 to implement priority projects for promoting equal opportunities of migrants, asylum-seekers, refugees and unaccompanied minors, such as:

• A renewed family reunification service, with pre-departure support and assistance.
• A Service Centre for Unaccompanied Migrant Minors.
• A service to coordinate the wide offer in the city of all Italian language courses and training opportunities.
• Dedicated mental health services for asylum-seekers and refugees in collaboration with the healthcare system.
• An international Human Mobility Cente to support Voluntary Assisted Returns and Reintegration.
• Creation of one-stop-shops and multidisciplinary mobile units to identify people in vulnerable situations and direct them to local welfare services.

Milan’s Deputy Mayor for Social Policy, Health and Rights, Pierfrancesco Majorino, said: “A stronger social Europe is only possible if it is inclusive for all. Milan is firmly committed to building a plural and inclusive society. We invest our efforts in ensuring equal access to social rights, services and opportunities for all, including migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees.”