Talents and the city

Bologna for Talent is the service for talent attraction and retention of the Metropolitan City and Municipality of Bologna within the Bologna Innovation Square platform.

The project supports talents in discovering the opportunities offered by the Bologna metropolitan area in building their own life and career projects, facilitates their relocation and long-term stay and helps their families settle smoothly into the local community. It also aims to support companies, research entities and the innovation of the whole economic system, in attracting and retaining highly specialized professionals. 

We spoke with the Bologna for Talent team to learn more about the programme. Here is the interview!

What strategies or programmes are you implementing to attract and retain talent?

As talent is a key driver of innovation, Bologna has been a pioneer in implementing services aimed at attracting and retaining talent, with the launch of the project in 2021. Through the Bologna for Talent 2024-25 project — financially supported by the Emilia-Romagna Region and developed within the framework of the Talent law — is carrying out joint actions with the University of Bologna and Almae Matris Alumni Association and is collaborating with key local stakeholders.

Bologna for Talent actions are oriented to create, with a network of key stakeholders, initiatives and services contributing to an attractive, innovative and inclusive environment for talents.

 It is also engaging at the European level: following an invitation from the Region and ART-ER, in October 2025 Bologna will host the Cities for Talent Meeting, a major opportunity for dialogue and exchange with other European cities on services for the attraction and retention of international talent.

Which kind of services do you offer to talents ?

 The project delivers specific services to support talents:

• The Talent Welcome Desk, providing national and international talents with one-to-one guidance on entry procedures, basic services, job and housing agency contacts, an overview of the local area, promotion of networking events, and more. The Talent Welcome Desk is a free service available in Italian and English. Appointments by reservation here.

• The opportunities page on Bologna for Talent website, where talents interested in relocating can find featuring companies joining Bologna for Talent and currently seeking skilled professionals.

• Finally, for Italian speakers only, the program BET - Bologna Empowering Talent has been designed to attract young talents and support their integration into the local job market through design thinking oriented challenges

Do you offer support to the families of international professionals ?

Through the Talent Welcome Desk, Bologna for Talent supports talents and their families with procedures related to residency applications, registration with the national health service, engagement with local education services, assistance with applications for family reunification residence permits, residency applications and document verification, and support in obtaining the housing suitability certificate. We interact directly with the relevant offices and authorities in each specific area.

What are the main resources or tools you use? 

The program operates a website, soon to be updated, that provides essential information to facilitate talents wishing to relocate to Bologna, as well as for those already living here and looking for opportunities to stay. The site offers guidance on administrative procedures, as well as tips on leisure activities and life in the region.

It also serves as a resource for companies interested in learning more about Bologna for Talent services, with a dedicated section for those already participating, showcasing their profiles.

Additionally, on the Bologna for Talent LinkedIn page, Bologna for Talent promotes the initiatives it organizes and participates in, showcases the services it offers, and shares success stories of the talents and companies it supports.

Through these efforts, Bologna for Talent enhances the positioning of the Metropolitan City of Bologna as a place where talent meets opportunities, fostering growth and innovation in collaboration with a broad network of stakeholders.

How do you collaborate with local institutions to facilitate the matching of trainees and professionals?

Through open dialogue within the Workshop metropolitano, which involves local stakeholders (trade associations, municipalities, higher education and innovation hubs..),  the project identifies actions to enhance the attractiveness of the system and promotes its strengths.

As part of the Bologna for Talent 2024-25 project,  it is organizing events for national and international students to present the region’s innovation factors, the procedures for staying and working in Bologna after graduation, and to connect companies with students and recent graduates.

Additionally, Bologna for Talent participates in local, national, and international events to create showcase spaces and opportunities for promotion and networking.

It also facilitates one-to-one dialogue with local companies and research entities interested in engaging with talents.