Banca d'Italia integrates social profiles into its institutional activities and in managing its assets and human capital. It also promotes maximum transparency in corporate governance and complies with ethical and anti-corruption principles.
On this page, we will examine:
- objectives;
- governance, accountability and transparency;
- training on institutional issues;
- initiatives for young people;
- libraries and historical archives;
- the enhancement of the artistic heritage and the promotion of culture;
- contributions and support for social initiatives;
- accessibility initiatives for persons with disabilities.
Objectives
Education and investment in culture and knowledge are key factors for economic growth and they contribute to nurturing civic-mindedness and well-being. For this reason, the Banca d'Italia is committed to:
- promoting training, especially for the younger generations, on issues related to its institutional action//activities;
- enhancing its historical, artistic, and architectural heritage and making it more accessible to the public;
- supporting initiatives and entities that promote culture and operate in social sectors.
At the same time, the quality of the institutional action//activities and services offered by Banca d'Italia to the public depends on the preparation, motivation, and sense of responsibility of its staff. For this reason, the Bank promotes the development of its human capital, the work-life balance of its staff, the fostering of an inclusive and diverse working environment, and the adoption of high standards in the area of occupational health and safety.
The objectives, information, and activities carried out in the fields of transparency, ethical compliance, the prevention of corruption, and the protection of personal data are found in the dedicated section of this site.
For more information:
Banca d'Italia adheres to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion charter
ESCB & SSM - Equality, diversity and inclusion charter
Training on institutional issues
Governance, accountability and transparency
Environmental and sustainability strategies are determined by the Governing Board. The Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, chaired by a member of the Governing Board, is responsible for laying down the strategic guidelines and coordinating the related activities, with the support of the Climate Change and Sustainability Hub. The aim is to promote an integrated vision through coordinated and unified action on climate and sustainability issues, including through the work of a permanent team of experts from various areas of the Bank. The Environmental Sustainability Sector, which is part of the Organization Directorate, coordinates projects for reducing the carbon footprint of the Bank's internal operations.
Banca d'Italia puts out a number of publications that attest to its sustainability efforts, including the Report on Operations and Activities, an annual publication that sets out the Bank's institutional activities and results, the Environmental Report, which illustrates the impact of the Bank's activities and its plans for reducing it, and the Report on sustainable investments and climate-related risks, which describes how the Bank manages sustainability and climate risks in its non-monetary policy investment portfolios. In addition, La Banca d'Italia - funzioni e obiettivi, updated periodically, provides an overview of the contributions of the Bank's various departments to sustainability.
A project to enhance and harmonize sustainability reporting is currently under way, which will involve the development of an integrated framework and the identification of performance indicators.
The aspects of governance relating to transparency, ethics, the prevention of corruption and the protection of personal data are described here. Information on the Bank's sustainability objectives, activities and other data can be found in a dedicated section of this website.
Training on institutional issues
The Bank promotes and hosts cultural and educational events on current topics related to its institutional role//mission. It also provides financial support to entities that promote research in the economics and finance fields, such as the Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance (Istituto Einaudi per l'economia e la finanza, EIEF), as well as in the areas of law, mathematics, statistics and computer science.
Through international technical cooperation, the Bank organizes training activities and consultancy on institutional matters as well as other organizational, managerial, and legal topics for central banks and supervisors in emerging countries, EU candidate and potential candidate countries, and countries within the bounds of the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Initiatives for young people
Every year Banca d'Italia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Merit, sponsors programmes for schools to build a financial culture in the younger generations. These include: the 'Let's design banknote' contest, the mathematics and computer science prize for high schools, the Italian Economics and Finance Championships, and the Generation Euro Students' Award. In addition, the Bank participates in the work experience programme for high school students (Percorsi per le Competenze Trasversali e l'Orientamento, PCTO: for more information, see the brochure).
Each year the Bank offers internships for recent graduates, as well as postgraduate scholarships in economics, statistics, and law to finance attendance of advanced courses (mainly doctoral courses abroad). In addition, it awards research grants (fellowships) to doctoral candidates in economics.
Libraries and historical archives
The libraries of Banca d'Italia are open to the public and offer bibliographic consulting and photocopying services, even for those off-site. Its online catalogue makes it possible to search a large part of the Bank's collection.
The historical archive preserves all the documents produced, received, or acquired over time by Banca d'Italia, intended for permanent conservation and public consultation. The documents, most of which are also available in digital format, can be consulted upon reservation.
The enhancement of the artistic heritage and the promotion of culture
A series of acquisitions and donations have helped to form, over time, the historical, artistic, and architectural heritage of the Bank. It is committed to enhancing this heritage, spread throughout the country, to increase its social utility and expand its use by the community.
The Bank's art collection can be viewed and searched online through the dedicated portal. In addition, the Bank organizes exhibitions throughout the country, with the scientific support of art historians and scholars.
During the FAI Spring Days or while hosting other initiatives, such as the Open House event, it is possible to access the Bank's buildings and visit places of historical and artistic interest that are usually closed to the public.
The website of the future Money Museum (MUDEM) offers everyone the opportunity to learn about and experience the Bank's coin and banknote collections.
Contributions and support for social initiatives
Banca d'Italia financially supports initiatives that are distinguished for their scientific value, public interest, educational importance, or social value. The criteria and procedures governing the award of grants, which can be consulted on the website, are in compliance with the principles of transparency, publicity, fairness, cost-effectiveness, and impartiality; their allocation is also based on a rotation criterion.
To mark its centenary in 1993, the Bank launched a couple of social support initiatives, namely: (a) the Assistance and Solidarity Foundation (Fondazione di Assistenza e Solidarietà Onlus, FAS), which pursues welfare and social purposes, usually in the form of contributions to expenses, and promotes volunteerism with respect to employees, either in service or retired, and their family members affected by serious harmful events; (b) the Foundation for Paediatric Oncology (Fondazione per l'Oncologia Pediatrica, FOP), which provides financial support and promotes volunteerism for treatment, assistance, and scientific research in the field of paediatric oncology at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
Accessibility initiatives for persons with disabilities
Banca d'Italia is committed to making its informational heritage and services accessible to persons with disabilities.
The websites of the Bank, of the Financial Intelligence Unit for Italy, and of the Banking and Financial Ombudsman, as well as the financial education portal 'Economics for everyone' (L'Economia per tutti), meet accessibility standards. Financial education initiatives are designed to foster the full inclusion of people with visual and hearing impairments and learning disabilities. The Bank provides Italian Sign Language (LIS) interpreting for the major public events it hosts.
