Effectiveness of Christian-Based Migrant Integration Programs in Padua: The Case of the Cucine Economiche Popolari

Italy, as other European countries, experiences an increasing flow of migrants who wish to settle there. There can be cultural, economic, and legal barriers that stop migrants from starting their new lives in the country, but these can be diminished through initiatives by governmental and non-governmental organizations, facilitating their two-way integration process. One of the most relevant actors supporting migrant integration in the country is the Catholic Church and its associations. Their economic resources and political and cultural relevance, together with their orientation to community-building, solidarity, respect, and participation, make them a key guide for newcomers to rely on for their integration process. In Padua, the Cucine Economiche Popolari (CEP), supported by the Diocesi, has been serving the most vulnerable for more than 140 years. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the impact of the CEP's programs and services on the two-way integration process of migrant users, as well as the role of religion in this process. Migrant users of the CEP were interviewed to understand their personal experience of integrating into the city. The results reveal that the services offered by the organization significantly contribute to the two-way integration process of migrants in the city by promoting both resources for migrant users and educational tools for the society to welcome newcomers while also respecting religious diversity. Despite the challenges found, such as gaps in housing and legal services, the research highlights the role of the CEP in facilitating positive interactions within a religiously diverse community. The findings suggest that Christian-based programs can offer significant support for the integration of migrants in Italian society.