Talents and the city

Ravenna Welcomes Talents is the initiative promoted by the Municipality of Ravenna to attract and retain international professionals, students, and researchers. The project activates a circular and dynamic process — from promoting the local context and its opportunities, to attracting Italian and international talents, welcoming them into the community, and supporting their long-term involvement.

We spoke with the Ravenna Welcomes Talents team to learn more about their vision and activities. Here is the interview!

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

The project activates a circular and dynamic process that starts from the promotion of the local context and opportunities, moving to the attraction of Italian and international talents, their welcoming into the local community, and progressive involvement in a long-term perspective. Each phase involves specific municipal structures and a network of relevant local stakeholders, including the local campus of Bologna University, the Fine Arts Academy, the Music Conservatory, the Chamber of Commerce, and professional associations, as well as social and cultural institutions.

A wide community made of residents and non-residents has been created to help talents get involved in the social and cultural fabric and ultimately become ambassadors of the town.

Which kind of services do you offer to talents?

Through three interconnected dedicated desks, talents receive both online and in-person information on immigration, university enrolment, and administrative-bureaucratic procedures, as well as information on transport solutions and leisure opportunities.

The STAY (AND FEEL FINE) IN RAVENNA community network offers its members a rich calendar of leisure events and meetings ranging from local food cooking lessons to inland day trips and cultural activities.

Members of the community are also involved in the planning of the calendar and are protagonists of promotional materials, such as video-tips.

Do you offer support to the families of international professionals?

Yes. We provide information on local schools, cultural initiatives, and opportunities for recreational and sporting activities for both adults and children. We also give information on administrative and bureaucratic procedures to support their settlement in the city.

What are the main resources or tools you use?

The Ravenna Welcomes Talents website is the main source of information on services and events dedicated to talents, whether they are already settled or still in their home country.

A series of video-pills are available on YouTube, with tips on how to access the main services offered.

A dedicated WhatsApp group is also available for residents, used to promote events, share quick updates, and arrange meetings.

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

We organise local events that gather companies, universities, vocational schools, students, and young professionals.

We collaborate closely with the local campus of Bologna University and attend the Career Days organised annually to collect specific needs, which are then processed by the relevant desk operators.

These collaborations help us strengthen connections between education, institutions, and the job market to create effective matching opportunities for talents.