1. REGION ABRUZZO “Demographic change as a key variable in regional growth strategies” Final meeting (Bologna, 13rd October 2014)

2. REGION ABRUZZO European commission defined “Region Abruzzo” as a bridge between Adriatic sea, Eastern countries and Europe. Abruzzo Territory is considerate a cross border country where the immigrant topic is really important, as a logistic and strategic point for the enterprises. The knowledge on Immigrants is improving but it is necessary to use more statistical sources; policy makers need to be supported in a better way. We suggested to improve the statistical sources yet present in SISTAN (National Statistical System) and link them with OSR (Regional Social Observatory).

3. Demographic change 2020 prospective Abruzzo immigrants will be on 11% on total citizens, increasing from 2007 to 2020 of 7%. This figure shows the concrete interest for the regional policy to focus actions direct for the integration; a support of this prospective is the ageing of the territories that will be favoured with young immigrant people. The project methodology, perfectly coherent with all project activities, has led our staff to develop the regional strategy in 3 areas: welfare, human capital and labour market.

4. Welfare Poverty increase: from 20.6 in 2007 to 26.1 in 2020. Abruzzo region with the municipalities cover the needs of the elderly (over 65) at about 4.2% through assistant service Goal - the third sector NONProfit: social enterprise is a resource to create jobs; to support this area with green economy, social agriculture, promote cultural heritage, responsible tourism …. Abruzzo Strategic Action plan (first of all Region Abruzzo has in these days approved new guidelines on welfare) Action 1 - Organizing home care services/support services for elderly people a) Strengthening social and integrated home carefor the elderly b) Residential and semi-residential services Action 2 – Enlarge the availability of high quality childcare, especially for children below the age of 3 a) Development of services for early childhood b) Accreditation of services for early childhood Action 3 – Realize family-friendly services and forms of reconciling in order to improve female labor participation a) National Fund for Family Policy b) Plan of the times

5. Human Capital The Programme of Region Abruzzo for 2014-2020 can actively contribute to the development of innovative solutions that address these challenges, by promoting a culture of learning and a community of knowledge, the development of capacities and structures for innovation, the identification of priority areas for social experimentation and innovation. Age 18-24 (neet) in 2013 is a 9.1% of the total popolation, in 2020 is a 36.6% Priority problem is the inactivity NEET (high risk of social exclusion): 2007 13.1% 2013 25% 2020 29,2% Call for proposal “GARANZIA GIOVANI” for NEET before december 2014 Abruzzo Strategic Action plan Abruzzo Region from 2014 2020 intend to operate on a) Developing a workforce skilled for innovation: green economy, blue economy, personal services, health and social services, promotion of cultural heritage, ICT; Information campaigns and territorial animation b) Governance of the VET/TE and technical curricula and its connection with the labour market and sustainable regional development strengthening the links with other actors in the labor market, with particular regard to those of a public nature (schools, universities, chambers of commerce, municipalities); c) Improve quality and attractiveness of the VET/TE in terms of employabilty, and inclusion for all citizens Interventions for the development of digital skills (e-skills) and of models for the joint management of advanced services; d) Qualify cross-sectoral and cross-country mobility training interventions

6. Labour market Abruzzo Strategic Action plan fast and transparent access to funded and non regional services; strengthening networks between demand and supply of work, enhancement of the professions, training; raising the competitive personal and collective level, monitoring system of training needs; new relationships with institutional actors (schools, universities, trade unions and employers, companies, vocational schools, but also employment centers, work agencies) to define placement paths; HR development; competitive business development; outplacement, scouting and enterprise creation. Unemployment rate 2020 changes from 4.9 (2007) to12.9 Unemployment rate (age 15-24) grows from 15.9 2007 to 35.5 in 2020 (emergency) Unemployment rate female (age 15-25) rises from 2007 to 2020 Smes - Credit access Dialogue between the banking/financial institutions Creation of enterprises

7. Conclusions Highlighted Points: in this months there is a debate between the Trade Unions, University, Association of Enterprises with the regional Institution In a changing demographic context the “immigrant” represent a key resource for social economic factors; one of this is represented by young human capital that affects the decrease in the rate of aging. Supporting training policy (stage, guided placement, self employment, civil service….) Credit Access Sustain regional observatory with statistical sources Supporting immigrant startUps, business creation by immigrants

8. Mr Fabrizio Antolini Mrs Pia Stefania Baldassarre Mrs Livia Bentivoglio Mr Stefano Comignani Mr Mirco Mirabilio Mrs Giorgiana Zidaru Group of Experts collaborating with Region Abruzzo