by InTrieste
Regional officials in Friuli Venezia Giulia say policies aimed at supporting women, young people and families have become a central focus of the administration’s agenda as the region grapples with demographic decline and shifting labor market conditions.
Speaking at a meeting in Trieste on Monday with members of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Executives (Aidda), Alessia Rosolen, the regional councilor responsible for labor, education, research, universities and family affairs, outlined measures introduced over the past eight years to address employment and population challenges.
Rosolen said regional spending on family support has increased significantly since 2018. According to the councilor, funding earmarked for mothers at that time totaled €7 million, while current allocations amount to approximately €130 million and are designed to support families throughout various stages of family life.
The councillor also pointed to the rapid pace of economic and social change, arguing that public institutions must adapt quickly to emerging challenges. “What once changed over 40 years now evolves in just a few months,” Rosolen said, describing transformations that are reshaping both society and the economy.
Despite what she described as progress in several areas, Rosolen acknowledged ongoing concerns regarding youth and female employment. She cited regional data indicating that about 20,000 university graduates have left Friuli Venezia Giulia over the past two decades. At the same time, she said approximately 16,000 people have returned to the region, attributing the trend in part to policies related to welfare, education and stable employment.
Rosolen also noted that Friuli Venezia Giulia has one of the lowest gender gaps in Italy and compares favorably with many European regions. However, she said recent labor market indicators suggest a slowdown in female employment growth.
After several years of expansion following the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly between 2021 and 2025, employment figures for women showed signs of deceleration during the first quarter of 2026, according to the councillor. The trend comes despite regional initiatives aimed at promoting stable jobs and improving work-life balance.
The meeting with Aidda focused on the evolving role of women in the economy and the challenges facing businesses and workers in a period of rapid technological and demographic change.
