ILO and CeSPI Launch Financial Education Initiative to Empower Migrant Workers in Italy

The initiative represents another milestone in the long-standing collaboration between the ILO and CeSPI, both of which have worked extensively to improve financial inclusion for vulnerable populations.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Italy's Research Institute for International Policy (CeSPI) have unveiled a new initiative designed to strengthen financial literacy and inclusion among migrant communities living and working in Italy. The programme seeks to equip embassies, consulates, community organizations and migrant leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to deliver effective financial education, helping migrants make informed financial decisions and access financial services safely and confidently.

The initiative represents another milestone in the long-standing collaboration between the ILO and CeSPI, both of which have worked extensively to improve financial inclusion for vulnerable populations. By creating a network of certified community trainers, the programme aims to expand access to practical financial knowledge and empower migrant workers to achieve greater economic security and social integration.

Financial Inclusion as a Pathway to Decent Work

Financial inclusion has increasingly become recognized as a critical component of social and economic development. Access to banking services, savings mechanisms, credit facilities and financial planning tools can significantly improve the well-being of workers and their families. For migrant workers, who often face unique challenges when navigating unfamiliar financial systems, access to reliable financial education can be particularly transformative.

Many migrants encounter barriers such as language differences, limited understanding of local financial regulations, lack of familiarity with banking products, and vulnerability to financial fraud. Without proper guidance, these challenges can lead to poor financial decisions, excessive debt, or exclusion from essential financial services.

The new programme seeks to address these challenges by ensuring that trusted community representatives can provide accurate, relevant and culturally appropriate financial education. Through this approach, financial literacy becomes not only an economic tool but also a mechanism for promoting decent work, social inclusion and long-term stability.

Building a Strong Foundation Through Partnership

The programme is being implemented within the framework of CeSPI's National Observatory on the Financial Inclusion of Migrants and the ILO's Social Finance Programme. These initiatives have been instrumental in researching and promoting policies that improve access to financial services for marginalized groups.

Funding for the programme comes from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) 2021–2027 and the Italian Ministry of Interior through the project "Finanza inclusiva per l'integrazione" (Inclusive Finance for Integration). The financial support reflects growing recognition among policymakers that financial inclusion plays an essential role in successful integration and economic participation.

By combining international expertise with local implementation, the programme seeks to create sustainable solutions that can benefit migrant communities across Italy.

Training Community Leaders to Become Financial Education Champions

At the heart of the initiative is a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) programme based on the ILO's internationally recognized financial education methodology. The programme is designed to prepare selected participants to become qualified trainers capable of delivering financial literacy courses within their own communities.

Participants will receive extensive instruction covering both technical financial knowledge and practical training techniques. The programme goes beyond traditional classroom learning by incorporating mentoring, hands-on exercises and supervised training delivery.

The goal is not only to teach financial concepts but also to build the confidence and communication skills necessary to effectively engage diverse audiences.

Upon successful completion of all programme requirements, participants will have the opportunity to earn an official ILO certification as trainers in financial education. This certification process includes supervised replication of training sessions and participation in a national certification workshop.

Practical Financial Skills for Everyday Life

The curriculum has been designed to address the real-world financial challenges faced by migrant workers and their families. Participants will receive training on a broad range of topics that can directly improve financial decision-making and economic resilience.

Key areas of focus include personal financial management, household budgeting, savings strategies, responsible borrowing practices, and long-term financial planning. The programme also addresses the growing importance of digital financial services, helping participants understand how to safely use online banking platforms, mobile payment systems and other digital financial tools.

Financial planning is particularly important for migrant workers who often support family members in their countries of origin through remittances. Effective financial management can help families balance immediate needs with long-term goals such as education, housing, entrepreneurship and retirement planning.

Tailoring Financial Education to Migrants' Needs

Recognizing that financial education must be relevant to the experiences of learners, the programme includes the adaptation of ILO educational materials to the Italian context and the realities of migrant communities.

This process involves developing localized case studies, practical examples and learning resources that reflect the specific challenges migrants face while living and working in Italy. By incorporating culturally relevant content, the programme aims to increase engagement and ensure that participants can easily apply what they learn to their daily lives.

The customized approach also acknowledges the diversity of migrant communities, ensuring that educational materials remain accessible and meaningful across different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Community-Based Trainers as Multipliers of Knowledge

One of the programme's most innovative features is its focus on creating community-based multipliers. Rather than relying solely on institutional training programmes, the initiative empowers trusted community leaders to become sources of financial knowledge within their own networks.

This model enables information to spread more effectively through communities where trust and personal relationships play a crucial role in learning and decision-making. Community trainers can provide ongoing support, answer questions and help individuals navigate complex financial systems long after formal training sessions have concluded.

By strengthening local leadership capacities, the programme aims to create a sustainable framework for financial education that continues to benefit migrant communities well into the future.

First Training Sessions Begin in Rome

The inaugural training programme is being held at CeSPI's headquarters in Rome from 29 to 31 May 2026. The first cohort includes participants from Spanish-speaking countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Representatives from the embassies and consulates of Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico are taking part alongside leaders from migrant associations and community organizations. Their participation highlights the important role diplomatic institutions can play in supporting migrant well-being and facilitating access to information and services.

A second round of training is scheduled for 11 to 13 June 2026, further expanding the network of future financial education trainers.

Strengthening Economic Empowerment Through Financial Literacy

As migration continues to shape labour markets and societies across Europe, initiatives that support economic integration are becoming increasingly important. Financial literacy equips individuals with essential life skills that can improve household stability, reduce vulnerability to exploitation and create pathways toward greater economic independence.

The collaboration between the ILO and CeSPI demonstrates how targeted financial education can contribute to broader development goals, including decent work, social cohesion and inclusive growth. By empowering migrant workers with practical financial knowledge and creating a network of certified trainers, the programme seeks to ensure that financial inclusion becomes a cornerstone of successful integration.

Through education, capacity building and community engagement, the initiative aims to help migrant workers build stronger financial futures while contributing positively to the economic and social fabric of Italian society.