All Eyes on Rosarno! VOICES from Migrations Brings Integration to the EU Agenda

At a time when migration debates across Europe are increasingly polarised, the EU-funded project “VOICES” proved, through its fourth major event, that inclusive and collaborative approaches to integration are not only possible, but necessary.

From 13 to 15 January 2026, a diverse coalition of local authorities from southern Italy, EU officials, international students, civil society representatives, and migrant citizens gathered in Brussels to exchange perspectives and develop concrete strategies for a more united Europe. At the heart of the High-Level Summit was a delegation of 17 mayors from Calabria, led by the town of Rosarno. Together, they committed to implementing a Local Action Plan Against Racism and for Integration in their communities by the end of the year, sending a clear message to EU institutions: united, we are stronger.

Mayors from Calabria and participants of "VOICES" at the European Committee of the Regions

• “Rosarno: Capital of Integration” – an exhibition opening new perspectives

The Summit opened with a round-table discussion at the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Giusi Princi, and followed by the inauguration of the exhibition “Rosarno: Capital of Integration”. The opening session featured an in-depth exchange of institutional and local perspectives, with the participation of Italian Members of Parliament John Arruzzolo and Francesco Cannizzaro, alongside Mayor of Rosarno Pasquale Cutrì. Contributions also came from Silvio Grieco, Head of the Legal Pathways and Integration Unit at DG HOME (EC), and Silvia Sassano, Deputy Prefect at the Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU.

A particularly powerful moment came through the personal testimonies of Emmanuel Osei, originally from Ghana and recently naturalised as an Italian citizen, and Alexandra Florina Calin, originally from Romania and now a resident of Rosarno. Their stories highlighted the human dimension behind policy discussions.

The exhibition itself, enriched by the work of Calabria-based photographers Alessandro Mallamaci and Fabio Itri, guided visitors from the landscapes of Calabria to the streets of Rosarno, and finally, to the lived experiences of migrants whose stories were collected during the project’s second event. Presented through photos, text, and video, these narratives embodied the core mission of “VOICES”: amplifying migrant voices and raising awareness of migration realities.

• From stories to policies

The second day shifted focus from reflection to action at the European Committee of the Regions. International students and former “VOICES” participants played a central role, presenting a set of policy recommendations on integration directly to the delegation of mayors. Drawing on fieldwork and interviews conducted in Brussels, Rosarno, and Thessaloniki, the contributions of students Camila Velez Martinez (Technical University of Munich), Boglár Gabriella Kiss (Central European University), Fiorella Rodríguez Santos (Hertie School), and Giuseppe Bellassai (ICollegio Universitario S. Caterina da Siena) grounded policy proposals in lived experience.

The Calabrian mayors then shared their own local approaches, outlining challenges, successes, and ongoing efforts to counter discrimination and strengthen inclusive services in their municipalities. The discussion was further enriched by contributions from EU officials Alessandra Criscuolo (EACEA) and Tanja Florath (DG JUST, EC), by civil society representatives such as Michelangelo Rosarno (OASI Association), by advocacy expert Chiara Catelli (PICUM), educator Maria Francesca Durante (Istituto comprensivo G. D’Antona), Coordinator of Student Affairs at Perrotis College, Pantelis Chantzaras, and Director for Projects and Advocacy at EucA, Alessandra Arcodia. Their interventions reinforced the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing integration policies.

• Looking ahead: closing the Summit

The final day brought the delegation to the Calabria Region Delegation in Brussels, where participants reflected on the journey and outlined next steps. Speeches by EucA Secretary General Mirela Mazalu, Alessandra Arcodia, and Mayor Pasquale Cutrì, highlighted the lasting value and future potential of the “VOICES” project. A video address by Calabria Region President Roberto Occhiuto provided a strong conclusion, encouraging participants to continue translating dialogue into action at the local level.

As Mayor Marco Caruso of Molochio noted, the delegation returned home “greatly enriched”: 

“We return to our communities enriched, with an even greater desire to work in the area. We hope to be able to increase the receptive capacity of our territories with regard to migration.”

Simona Scarcella, Mayor of Gioia Tauro, echoed this sentiment, and expressed:

“In my opinion, this institutional exchange is the only system that will allow us to create a useful network, because we cannot work in isolation from one another. We return home with not only professional knowledge, but also a stronger sense of humanity."

MEP Giusi Princi and delegation of Calabrian mayors during the exhibition's inauguration

• What's next?

While Brussels bids farewell to the Calabrian delegation, the “VOICES” journey continues. The upcoming Multicultural Festival of Rosarno, expected for the end of April, will mark the project’s fifth event, bringing together international students, cultural and creative professionals, and civil society actors in a celebration of diversity and dialogue.

The High-Level Summit concludes the fourth chapter of “VOICES”, reaffirming a shared commitment to openness, cooperation, and support for Europe’s most vulnerable communities.

Stay tuned for what comes next!

Learn more about VOICES From Migrations here.

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.