Educational support

In Italy, public authorities introduced a variety of national and regional policies to ensure equitable access to learning opportunities and to foster inclusive values and skills.

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) dedicates significant funding to improving access to education in marginalised areas, upgrading school infrastructure, and supporting digital inclusion (Mission 4).

The National Programme “PN School and Skills 2021–2027”, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Merit contributes to improve the inclusiveness and effectiveness of education and training systems, promote equal access, and support lifelong learning. The programme is funded with over €2.8 billion allocated by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and approximately €960 million provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The Ministry of Education and Merit guarantees the right to education across the entire national territory and defines the essential levels of services, which include both personal support services, especially for students in disadvantaged conditions, and instrumental services. 

Legislative Decree 63/2017 established a ministerial fund for the provision of scholarships to low-income upper secondary school students, with the aim of combating early school leaving. 

The Directorate-General for Students, Inclusion, Guidance, and the Prevention of Early School Leaving administers the Fund for the total or partial free provision of school textbooks. The Directorate also manages funds allocated to scholarships for the victims of terrorism and organised crime. Each Region identifies its eligible student beneficiaries and submits the list to the Ministry. 

Interministerial Decree 182/2020 defines the model for the Individualised Education Plan (Piano Educativo Individualizzato - PEI) which promotes the inclusion of students with disabilities and ensures that each student receives the necessary support to participate in school life and reach their full potential.

The Ministry of University and Research, through the annual allocation of the national supplementary fund, provides scholarships to capable and deserving university students, including those who lack sufficient financial means to continue their studies.

The Ministry of Culture promotes the Culture Card and the Merit Card to encourage cultural development and reward academic achievement. Each card, worth €500, can be used to purchase cultural goods and services, including books, tickets and other cultural activities.

Social cohesion and equal opportunities

In Italy, educational policies aim to promote social cohesion and equal opportunities through a range of initiatives in both formal education and non-formal and informal learning.

Formal education

On 7 September 2024, the Minister of Education and Merit approved a Decree issuing the Guidelines for the teaching of Civic Education. Civic Education is a cross-curricular subject that applies to all levels of schooling, from early childhood education to upper secondary school. The civic education curricula are based on three main thematic areas: 

• Constitution, national and international law, legality, and solidarity;
• sustainable development, environmental education, awareness and protection of cultural heritage and of the territory;
• digital citizenship.

Each year, the Ministry organises a series of initiatives, carried out in line with the Guidelines, involving students in the fight against all forms of violence against women, promoting the implementation of projects, educational pathways, cross-disciplinary activities, and hands-on learning methods within schools. The Ministry has also been committed for years to prevent bullying and cyberbullying. The 2021 update of the Guidelines for the Prevention and Combat of Bullying and Cyberbullying (Ministerial Decree 18/2021) provides school leaders, teachers, and education staff with new tools to understand, reduce, and counter the negative phenomena affecting children and adolescents. Decree 256/2024 allocates funds to combat the cyberbullying, in accordance with Law 234/2021.

Law 107/2015 establishes that the educational offer must ensure the implementation of the principles of equal opportunities, by promoting gender equality education, the prevention of gender-based violence, and all forms of discrimination in schools of all levels. To support these objectives, the Ministry of Education and Merit established the platform “We are equal” (Noi siamo pari), which showcases school experiences focused on equal opportunities, and provides resources for information-sharing and guidance.

These initiatives reflect Italy’s commitment to strengthening social cohesion and equal opportunities through education, in line with the recommendations of the 2017 Eurydice report on Education for Citizenship. 

Non-formal and informal learning

Italy recognises non-formal and informal learning as key tools in fostering social inclusion, civic engagement, and equal opportunities, particularly among young people. The collaboration with third-sector organisations plays a key role in offering guidance to young people.

Giovani Senza Frontiere is an association that fosters the active participation of young people in social life through non-formal education. With a national network of organisations across Italy and long-standing partnerships in the Euro-Mediterranean region, it operates at both national and international levels to offer young people meaningful opportunities and develop skills areas such as solidarity and social justice, anti-discrimination, legality, intercultural exchange and the empowerment of young people.