Sustainable habitat South Tyrol

Involving people with disabilities, older people and socially disadvantaged groups more closely in society characterises our efforts in the area of social sustainability. South Tyrol for All makes visible those accessible places and services which exist to facilitate access to public and tourist offers for people with reduced mobility – and the accessible infrastructure is growing: Public buildings, means of transport and information systems are designed to be accessible to all people. The aim is to increase  the  employment rate of people with disabilities  to  60%  by 2030. To this end, support programmes and advisory services, such as the South Tyrolean labour market, offer targeted help.  Caritas South Tyrol  is committed to  the integration of people with disabilities and migrant backgrounds with various services. Special language programmes promote equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups. 

South Tyrol actively promotes gender equality in order to create genuine equal opportunities. A key objective is to increase the proportion of women in management positions to 40% by 2030. In 2022, 11,114 women-owned companies were entered in the commercial register of the Bolzano Chamber of Commerce, accounting for 18.2% of South Tyrolean companies. This figure shows that women are increasingly taking on management positions, but there is still room for improvement. Targeted measures, such as mentoring programmes, reduce discrimination and pave the way for women to reach top positions. The focus is also on equal access to education and the labour market. South Tyrol supports marginalised groups through support programmes and vocational training opportunities in order to overcome social barriers. Initiatives such as the literacy and language courses offered by the provider Alpha Beta Picadilly or qualification measures such as the courses offered by the social cooperative Savera for intercultural mediators are practical examples of how equal opportunities for people with a migration background are promoted.

The autonomy of South Tyrol, secured by the autonomy statute of 1972, protects the linguistic and cultural rights of the three language groups – German, Italian and Ladin. Ladin culture is firmly rooted in the Dolomite valleys of Val Gardena and Val Badia and is characterised by its own language, Ladin, as well as typical customs and traditions.  Multilingual education is a  cornerstone; this not only ensures the preservation of the language, but also promotes cultural exchange between the language groups. In addition, the promotion of Ladin media, such as radio stations, newspapers and television programmes, plays a decisive role. These initiatives ensure that Ladin remains present in everyday life.

The cultural identity of South Tyrol is closely linked to traditional festivals and customs throughout the year. Many typical events, such as the Egetmann parade in Tramin or the Grape Festival in Merano, have been handed down for generations and are authentic ambassadors of our way of life. There are over 200 music bands in South Tyrol, which is more than there are municipalities. Great enthusiasm is one of the essential elements for this success – another is the targeted financial support of cultural projects and local art initiatives. This includes music clubs, theatre groups and regional craft fairs that contribute to the preservation of traditions and local crafts that are deeply rooted in the history of South Tyrol.