Migration flows, competences and energy transition
In the immediate future, migration flows could represent one of the possible solutions to the urgent demand for skills needed to implement the energy transition. With this in mind, in June 2024, the Fondazione MAIRE – ETS launched a call for research grants to fund socio-economic studies analyzing the possible connections between migration flows and the energy transition.
With the aim of designing training courses aimed at including a vulnerable group such as migrants in the social and working fabric, the Foundation funded eight studies, each of which highlighted a different aspect of these relationships.
To find out more, click on the ‘more’ buttons below.
CALL FOR RESEARCH GRANTS
As confirmed by our “Climate Goals”research, the energy transition is not only an urgent response to the climate crisis, but also an unprecedented opportunity for job creation and the inclusion of women and minorities. For this reason, the Fondazione MAIRE – ETS has decided to fund projects for socio-economic studies on the relationship between migration flows and energy transition.
The first call for research grants was launched in June 2024 and closed in December of the same year, with applications received for eight promising research projects.
To find out more, click here and read the first news item.
RESEARCHES
The studies supported by the Foundation examine the role that migrants can play in the development of the energy transition and in assisting the transformation of the production and distribution system that the energy transition requires.
The urgent global need to develop skills related to the energy transition in order to achieve climate goals, and the need for the energy transition process to be as socially inclusive as possible, make the issue of the integration of migrants into the industrial and commercial sectors and activities related to the energy transition particularly important.
Eight research projects were funded through this call for proposals, involving five researchers (Angelique Witjes, Antonio Mosetti, Carla Ventre, Cecilia Fortunato, Luigi Campaniello) and three associations (Next nuova economia, TBB – Talent Beyond Boundaries, and Fondazione AVSI - ETS).
In the coming weeks, we will publish the main findings from each study, so stay tuned to this page!
"TRAIETTORIE" CONFERENCE
An initial summary of the main results of the research funded by our call for proposals has been compiled in a report entitled TRAIETTORIE (TRAJECTORIES), which was presented at a conference held in Rome on October 13, 2025, at the Rome Chamber of Commerce, in the Sala del Tempio di Vibia Sabina e Adriano.
The event was attended by the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi.
Our General Manager Ilaria Catastini presented the Foundation and the broader project underlying this conference, while Prof. Andrea Billi of Sapienza University of Rome, a former member of the Foundation's Board of Directors, illustrated the findings that emerged from the studies and coordinated the research projects.
This was followed by a discussion between representatives of the sector: Roberto Sommella, Director of Milano Finanza, moderated a round table enriched by Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR Representative for Italy, the Holy See, and San Marino; Fabrizio Gallo, President of the National Commission for the Right of Asylum; Massimiliano Musmeci, Senior Expert at ANCE; Mohamed Saady, National Secretary of Fai Cisl, expert in migration policies; Salvatore Sortino, Director of the Coordination Office for the Mediterranean, International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Our President Fabrizio Di Amato closed the conference, commenting: "The business world is experiencing a particular shortage of certain professional skills. The energy transition sector needs trained people now and increasingly in the future: migrants and refugees can be a precious resource, especially if they are included in specific job corridor programs”.
To find out all the details about the event, click here and read the dedicated news article!
TRAIETTORIE, the Report
This first report, “TRAIETTORIE,” summarizes the findings of eight studies conducted by researchers and organizations that responded to our call for proposals, which was launched to fund socio-economic studies and investigate the relationship between migration flows and the energy transition. The report is currently only available in Italian, but it will soon be translated into English!
