The Region of Puglia kicked off the second phase of its FAMI-funded project “Puglia Inte(G)razione” on 14 September 2026 by opening an online survey aimed at native residents. The questionnaire explores perceptions of security, discrimination and policy preferences related to immigration, complementing an earlier poll conducted among third-country nationals. Puglia hosts roughly 170 000 foreign residents and has become a testing ground for agri-food, tourism and renewable-energy investment. Regional authorities want empirical data before drafting the 2027-2029 Migration Policy Plan, which will influence funding for language courses, housing subsidies and seasonal-worker programmes. NOVA – Consorzio Nazionale per l’Innovazione Sociale is handling the research with seven NGO partners. Why does this matter to corporates? Multinationals operating in Bari, Brindisi or Taranto rely heavily on migrant labour; policy swings driven by public sentiment could affect permit processing times and compliance costs. Employers are therefore encouraged to circulate the survey among local staff to ensure that business-friendly voices are heard. The questionnaire is anonymous, mobile-friendly and takes about ten minutes to complete. Preliminary findings will be discussed at town-hall meetings in November, with the final report feeding into the draft plan due in the regional council by March 2027. Global mobility teams with a footprint in southern Italy should monitor the process: future measures could include a streamlined hiring portal for seasonal workers and incentive schemes for companies providing Italian-language training. Participation is open until 31 October 2026. Interested HR and CSR managers can request promotional material via puglia@integrazione.org.
Source: Integrazione Migranti
