Cohesion Grows from the Bottom: Society as the Protagonist for Fair Development

To build a more united society and overcome inequalities, the real driving force comes from the bottom: from people, associations, and intermediate bodies that bring life to local communities. This is the central message that emerged from the meeting “Cohesion Grows from the Bottom. Society as the Protagonist”, which brought together political figures and civil society representatives, united by their common membership in the Parliamentary Intergroup for Subsidiarity.

In an era marked by increasing signs of fragmentation and inequality, the meeting highlighted the need to rediscover a development model that places the individual at the center, starting from their fundamental needs: work, housing, education, and relationships.

The debate was opened by Giorgio Vittadini, president of the Foundation for Subsidiarity, who offered a provocation by looking back at the model of cohesion in post-war Italy. A model based on clear pillars:

• Decent work as the starting point for both personal and collective growth, in line with Article 1 of the Constitution.
• A culture of saving, supported by a banking system serving the real economy and families.
• The vitality of intermediate bodies: cooperatives, mutual aid societies, trade unions, and small businesses working together, able to create solidarity and encourage participation in public life.

This system, Vittadini emphasized, enabled widespread and fair development, leading Italy to reach, for example, 70% home ownership—an achievement obtained without triggering financial crises.

The discussion then shifted to the management of cohesion funds, tools designed by Europe to reduce territorial disparities. The Minister for European Affairs, the NRRP, and cohesion policies, Tommaso Foti, acknowledged that cohesion policy is undergoing profound changes. While Italy achieved an excellent result in reporting on the 2014–2020 funds (99.18%), actual spending is lagging (4%) compared to the NRRP (60%).

To make these tools more effective, according to the Minister, it is necessary to overcome rigidity and focus on missions that respond to citizens’ real needs. Among the priorities identified are social housing, to address rising rents affecting both the North and South, innovation in the labor market, and education. Above all, he concluded, these funds must not translate into welfare handouts but instead become a driving force for the protagonism of businesses and individuals.

From the debate among the attending parliamentarians—Graziano Delrio (PD), Mariastella Gelmini (Noi Moderati), Stefano Patuanelli (M5S), and Maurizio Lupi (Noi Moderati)—emerged strong self-criticism and the awareness that politics often “does not see society.”

Graziano Delrio stressed the importance of investing in quality “social infrastructure,” such as schools and public hospitals accessible to all, rich and poor alike, because that is where cohesion is built. For Mariastella Gelmini, cohesion is first and foremost “a method and a responsibility,” a choice for “us” against the “dictatorship of the self” and to fight all inequalities—not only between North and South, but also between city centers and suburbs, mountains and plains.

A vision shared by Stefano Patuanelli, who pointed out that the problem of access to housing is now also affecting the middle class, pushed out of large city centers. For this reason, he said, political forces must join together to find concrete solutions.

Closing the meeting, Maurizio Lupi recalled that the work of the Intergroup for Subsidiarity had already produced important laws such as those on the “5 per mille” and the “Single Allowance.” The new challenge, he announced, is to work on a bill on “compensations” for major works: allocating part of the resources not only to material interventions but also to supporting vibrant local realities—from the third sector to educational associations—that already operate for the common good.

In conclusion, Minister Foti embraced the proposal for a calm and thorough parliamentary debate on cohesion, wholeheartedly accepting the invitation to discuss concretely how to best use European funds. Foti emphasized the need to promote genuine “horizontal solidarity,” involving mayors and civil society more, which too often remain on the margins of decision-making. The goal, he reiterated, is to prevent fund management from being reduced to a negotiation between the State and Regions, and instead become a truly participatory process capable of genuinely overcoming territorial divides.

Do you want to discover the incredible story of a man who built a financial empire by putting people and trust at the center, just as hoped for during the meeting? Don’t miss the exhibition “You Cannot Die for a Dollar. The Revolution of Amadeo Peter Giannini”, open throughout the Rimini Meeting at Pavilion C1. Admission is free.