Welcoming Week expands into Italy
A Global Collaboration with Sale della Terra, the Benevento Community Foundation, and Welcoming America
Decatur, GEORGIA – Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization in the United States, is excited to announce the first-ever Welcoming Week in Italy, in partnership with Sale della Terra and the Benevento Community Foundation. Taking place from September 12-21, 2025, this marks a significant expansion of Welcoming Week into international communities through Welcoming International, with small municipalities in Italy coming together to celebrate the power of welcoming.
“By leveraging personalized and community-based opportunities for wellbeing, we seek to contribute to the creation of an inclusive model that can become a global reference for welcoming communities. In these uncertain times, unity is the only answer to policies that seek to divide and fragment society.” — Sale della Terra President Angelo Moretti
As migration continues to reshape communities around the world, Welcoming Week provides a platform to foster mutual respect and collaboration between local residents and newcomers. This year, Italy’s commitment to welcoming will be showcased through the communities of Sassinoro, Pietrelcina, and Santa Paolina.
“Expanding Welcoming Week into Italy reflects our shared commitment to fostering welcoming and belonging between newcomers and long-time residents.” — Welcoming America Executive Director Rachel Perić
During Welcoming Week, participating communities will host a variety of events, workshops, and activities designed to break down prejudices, build stronger bonds between residents, and showcase successful welcoming models. The campaign will focus on:
- Social Cohesion: Encouraging interactions between non-migrants, migrants, and institutions to promote understanding and trust.
- Social and Labor Integration: Highlighting the valuable contributions of newcomers and fostering opportunities for mutual growth.
- Youth and Family Engagement: Involving young people and local businesses in a shared journey of inclusion and growth.
- Celebrating Successes: Showcasing how well-organized hospitality can drive development and unity within small communities.
Welcoming Week Italy is a vital step towards creating global inclusive communities where everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to belong and thrive.
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About Welcoming America
Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. We believe that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of our communities and shared future. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.
About Welcoming Week
Welcoming Week is an annual campaign that celebrates the work in communities to become welcoming places for all, including immigrants. Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America and its members, Welcoming Week provides individuals and organizations the opportunity to showcase their values through events and initiatives that foster connections and collaboration between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well as belonging for all. Learn more at welcomingweek.org.
About Sale della Terra
Sale della Terra is a consortium founded in 2016 in Benevento, Southern Italy, prioritizing human and social capital investment through the civil economy. It operates across Italy, employing 300 people and providing services to underserved individuals. Sale della Terra facilitates social and work rehabilitation for those in need, including individuals on therapeutic rehabilitation projects, alternative incarceration measures, or facing socio-economic disadvantages. Learn more at consorziosalledellaterra.it.
About Benevento Community Foundation
The Benevento Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to social purposes, supporting activities of social solidarity, charity, and public utility to improve quality of life and promote civic, cultural, social, environmental, and economic development within its service area. Guided by the values of civic and ecological economy and shared giving, the Foundation addresses local needs through sustainable, network-based development models. Learn more at fondazionecomunitabenevento.it.
Media Contacts
Welcoming America: Leslie Nguyen-Okwu, [email protected]
Sale della Terra: Roberta Capuano, [email protected]