Milano Metropoli Development Agency

Milano Metropoli is the Agency for the Promotion and Sustainable Development of the Metropolitan Area of Milan. It is a joint-stock company, with mixed public (mainly) and private capital, supported by the Province of Milan to promote economic and social development in greater Milan, one of the most dynamic metropolitan areas in Europe.

Milano Metropoli works closely and in partnership with local town councils, development agencies, universities and research centres, trade unions, the business community, banks, foundations and non-profit organisations in the metropolitan area of Milan. Milano Metropoli's mission focuses on the following strategic areas:

• Territorial marketing
• Support strategic economic sectors
• Special reindustrialisation, urban regeneration and development projects

One of Milano Metropoli’s core activities is to facilitate sharing of knowledge and experiences between local public authorities and wider European networks. Thus it is of great interest for Milano Metropoli to take part in the Network, especially as child poverty is such a current issue in the Milan area.

Milano Metropoli is not responsible for strategies or policies against child poverty, but works closely with local public authorities that deliver social care and educational services. The responsibility for tackling child poverty in Lombardy and in Milan is shared among the regional government, the Municipality of Milan and third sector organisations.

The regional government provides the legislative framework and directly manages many interventions in the area of healthcare. Among the interventions currently ongoing, the “social voucher” system, co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF), is allocated by the Regional government to each municipality. The voucher has been proved to be an effective tool for citizens to receive reimbursements for social and health services.

In 2000 the regional government introduced a new law (328/00) for promoting stronger cooperation between municipalities and the third sector both in defining priorities and interventions at the local level, as well as in promoting the management by non profit organisations of several projects in social and health care.

The Municipality of Milan is responsible in delivering a wide range of services for minors and families, especially immigrants. The activities range from the management of several sheltered homes, to monitoring and supporting the establishment of new private nursery schools.

The Province of Milan has recently focused its services on supporting young mothers, immigrant children, and supporting the establishment of new private nursery schools.

The non profit sector is also playing a crucial role in Milan: social enterprise as well as several other third sector organisations are strongly involved in tackling child poverty.

Contact:
Gianluca Sala
e: sala@milanomet.it
t: 0039 0224126567