The European Commission names Isola among four European examples of impact-driven businessThe European Commission cites us as an example of impact-driven business. Find out why 

Unlocking potential

We design and run free programmes for new generations, in the two areas we work on: access to work and starting a business.

A discussion circle during a meeting in the spaces at Isola
What we work on, and why
Access to work

The skills the region really needs

In Sicily the jobs exist, but they don’t reach the people looking for them: businesses can’t find the profiles they need, and job seekers don’t know which skills to develop. The gap is one of guidance before it’s one of opportunity, and it hits hardest those who start furthest behind.

We build our programmes with the businesses that go on to hire, starting from the jobs that are really in demand, and we open them to those at risk of being left out.

Starting a business

Building a business here, without having to move away

Anyone with an idea in Southern Italy finds less capital, fewer networks and fewer examples of people who made it. Two further gaps compound this: the one between North and South, and the gender gap, because businesses founded by women are still a minority.

We support people from the idea to an incorporated business, with equal access as a principle and the archipelago as a network that opens doors.

Featured

Current programmes

9 programmes
A working table with businesses and organisations at Isola Catania
Applications open
EntrepreneurshipEcosystem building

Sicilia che Innova

A call for 15 innovative Sicilian businesses. On Tuesday 17 November, at the Social Economy Forum, they meet the people who can help them grow.

Find out more about the programme (in Italian) 
Two people welcome participants in front of the screen, in a room at Isola
In progress
Skills and work

Energie con il Sud

A three-year programme that tackles youth unemployment in Southern Italy and promotes social inclusion, creating real opportunities in the energy sector.

Find out more about the programme 
A working group sitting around two small tables, with clipboards and notes, at Isola
Upcoming
Entrepreneurship

Hack the Gap 2026

Isola’s entrepreneurship programme to close the gaps. In 2026 it becomes Startup Lab: three days at Isola, from 11 to 13 December, to turn an idea into a business.

Find out more about the programme (in Italian) 
A working group around a round table covered in coloured sheets, at Isola
In progress
EntrepreneurshipCulture and creativity

Cultural BEES

It develops the entrepreneurial skills of Europe’s new generations in the cultural and creative industries, with a training programme and a multilingual digital toolkit.

Find out more about the programme 
Two participants smiling and chatting during a break at Isola
In progress
Entrepreneurship

YES: Youth Engagement for Success

An Erasmus+ programme that puts social entrepreneurship to work for youth employability, led by Isola Catania with six partners across Europe.

Page coming soon
Participants working on laptops during a presentation at Isola
In progress
EntrepreneurshipSkills and work

Yes I Start Up - Autoimpiego

A free training and support programme for self-employment: one hundred hours to build your business plan and access credit. Two schemes with the same structure: Yes I Start Up under the PR FSE+ Sicilia 2021-2027 (the Sicily ESF+ regional programme) and Autoimpiego under PNRR-GOL.

Page coming soon
Young people seated at tables listening to a talk, in front of a screen
In progress
Guidance

Bussola

Guidance for students in the second and third year of lower secondary school as they move on to upper secondary school, in the Librino neighbourhood.

Page coming soon
A meeting around a table, with smiles and open laptops
In progress
Ecosystem building

RISALI

A systemic initiative to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Southern Italy: skills, technology transfer, inclusion and local engagement.

Page coming soon
Three participants sitting in a circle during a workshop at Isola
In progress
Culture and creativityEntrepreneurship

Laboratori di Cultura, Creatività ed Arte

An entrepreneurship education programme for young Sicilian artists: workshops, exhibitions and mentoring.

Page coming soon

Programmes we have delivered

11/11
Theme
An artist shows one of their prints to participants, laid out on a table
Completed
Culture and creativityEntrepreneurship

DigiArt Entrepreneurs

An immersive week in Malagón to strengthen the skills of youth workers who support young creative talents wanting to start a business.

Page coming soon
Participants working on laptops, smiling, at a table at Isola
Completed
Entrepreneurship

EMIMSEB

An immersive workshop on social entrepreneurship as a tool for civic participation in the Euro-Mediterranean area.

Page coming soon
Two young people smiling as they talk during a meeting at Isola
Completed
Guidance

Futuro Direzione Sud 25/26

Guidance with the University of Catania: aptitudes, growing sectors and self-employment, to help students see the South as an ecosystem of possibilities.

Page coming soon
Two young people smiling as they talk during a meeting at Isola
Completed
Guidance

Futuro Direzione Sud 24/25

The first edition of hands-on guidance with the University of Catania: aptitudes, growing sectors and new professions.

Page coming soon
Young people around a table, in front of a screen reading “Facing climate change”
Completed
Guidance

SKILLS

STEM guidance for upper secondary school students: masterclasses, university labs and meetings with role models.

Page coming soon
Visitors photographing the posters of an exhibition during Make in South
Completed
Ecosystem building

Make in South

Southern Italy’s innovation festival, six editions in Catania: talks, panels and connections between the people building businesses, technology and impact in the South.

Page coming soon
A group of women working around a table at Isola
Completed
Entrepreneurship

Fempreneurs

A free programme for young Sicilian women who want to enter the world of business, supported by US Mission Italy.

Page coming soon
Participants listening closely during a meeting at Isola
Completed
Entrepreneurship

Hack the Gap 2025

The 2025 edition of the programme for women aged 18 to 35 in Southern Italy: empowerment, education and business incubation, with prizes for the best ideas.

Page coming soon
A speaker presents a diagram on screen to the audience at Isola
Completed
Skills and work

Work from bed

Training and matching on digital skills for work, as part of the Prospettive call (Bando Prospettive).

Page coming soon
A young man in a blue helmet fixing a solar panel with a drill
Completed
Skills and work

Green Skills Academy

Training, guidance and matching on green skills for employment.

Page coming soon
The audience, seated in rows, smiling during a meeting at Isola
Completed
Ecosystem buildingSkills and work

InSiDe

Innovation and Sicily Data Engine: networking and new skills for work, as part of the MUSA project.

Page coming soon

EU Partnerships

Looking for a Sicilian partner for a European project?

Isola takes part in Erasmus+, Creative Europe and EIT projects, both as lead partner and as partner. The EU Partnerships page brings together our programmes, roles and contacts.

Go to EU Partnerships 
Let’s talk

What can we do together?

Apply

Tell us about yourself

If one of our current programmes interests you, get in touch and we’ll tell you how to take part. Tell us who you are and what you would like to do, and we’ll try to help.

Organisations

Let’s build a programme together

We design and deliver programmes with public bodies, foundations, businesses and institutions. If you want to collaborate and create impact with us, get in touch.