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.
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.
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
Naturae
Training and business development on sustainability and the sustainable use of natural resources, as part of Open Innovation Sicilia (Action 1.1.3).
Find out more about the programme
Water-Smart Agrifood Systems Catania Hub
The European acceleration programme for high-impact agrifood startups, from technology validation to market entry. In Catania, one of the six hubs of the EIT Food network.
Find out more about the programmeCurrent programmes
9 programmes
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)
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
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)
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
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
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
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
RISALI
A systemic initiative to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Southern Italy: skills, technology transfer, inclusion and local engagement.
Page coming soon
Laboratori di Cultura, Creatività ed Arte
An entrepreneurship education programme for young Sicilian artists: workshops, exhibitions and mentoring.
Page coming soonProgrammes we have delivered
11/11
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
EMIMSEB
An immersive workshop on social entrepreneurship as a tool for civic participation in the Euro-Mediterranean area.
Page coming soon
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
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
SKILLS
STEM guidance for upper secondary school students: masterclasses, university labs and meetings with role models.
Page coming soon
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
Fempreneurs
A free programme for young Sicilian women who want to enter the world of business, supported by US Mission Italy.
Page coming soon
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
Work from bed
Training and matching on digital skills for work, as part of the Prospettive call (Bando Prospettive).
Page coming soon
Green Skills Academy
Training, guidance and matching on green skills for employment.
Page coming soon
InSiDe
Innovation and Sicily Data Engine: networking and new skills for work, as part of the MUSA project.
Page coming soonNo programmes in the archive with this theme.
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.
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.
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.
Speak soon
Thank you for your message, we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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.
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.
Speak soon
Thank you for your message, we will get back to you as soon as possible.