RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The municipality of Maida, located in the Calabria region in southern Italy, is recruiting Italian descendants from all over the world. The initiative of the “Associazione Unione Italo Discendenti nel Mondo,” in cooperation with Casa Calabria and the municipality of Maida, includes benefits such as assistance in finding employment and accommodation, and the possibility of university degree revalidation.
The just over 4,000 inhabitants town is located under a famous hill in the Calabria region, which became known for a battle between France and England in the early 19th century.
“Italy needs its Italian descendants who are scattered all over the world. Italy is considered an aging country and after the pandemic everything has changed and the issue deepened. The conditions for a return must be created: we have 21 million Italian descendants in Argentina, 42 million in Brazil, we can virtually rejuvenate Italy whenever we want,” said Andrea Pacia, president of the association of Italian descendants.
According to Andrea, the project’s goal is to repopulate cities and small municipalities with Italian descendants living in critical areas in Central and South America, and in places where development is considered “lower” than in Italy.
“Italy is the only country in the world where there are no limits to the recognition of citizenship. But this recognition has increased considerably over time for the sole purpose of moving to Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking European countries, and even to North America,” Andrea said.
Between 1998 and 2006, 600,000 Italian citizenship certificates were granted by descent. Of those, 40% were granted in Argentina, 20% in Brazil, and in Europe – in France (54%) and Switzerland (25%).
According to Andrea, the candidates for citizenship in Argentina and Brazil are from middle and upper middle classes, with a high level of education. But many eventually go to Spain, which saw its Italian community increase 550%, particularly in Madrid and Barcelona.
The institutions have outlined the goal of creating conditions for Italian descendants to return and stay in Italy. “Entrepreneurs have made themselves available; moreover, it is now possible for anyone applying for recognition of citizenship to be granted a work permit while waiting. Because recognition is a birthright: until the law changes, the children of Italian citizens are Italians,” Andrea stressed.
The project will begin in September and some 15 candidates who write to the UID (by email [email protected]) will be selected. They will have access to a 6-month stay in the municipality of Maida and will be able to take Italian language courses. In addition, the University of Calabria will be in charge of revalidating the candidates’ diplomas.
According to Andrea, jobs will be offered in the agricultural sector – such as harvesting olives, grapes, among others – or in the different areas of tourism.