Officials Without Borders

“Officials Without Borders” is an initiative launched by the Municipality of Milan to contribute to the development of local realities in the countries of the South of the world which takes inspiration from other Italian experiences (Municipalities Without Borders, ANCI Tuscany).

This is a joint initiative of the Mayor's Office - International Relations and the Human Resources Department, approved with council resolution No. 1336 of 5 July 2013, which aims to facilitate exchanges of officials between the municipality of Milan and those of Third Countries.

The provision of technical assistance is one of the international cooperation activities of the municipal administration, in line with the new law of "General regulations on international cooperation for development" (N. 125 of 11 August 2014).

Upon request by local authorities in developing countries, the municipal administration has decided to make available the experience and know-how of its employees, in possession of the specific skills requested, who are made available within of projects financed by international institutions and organizations, in order to contribute to the development of local realities through technical assistance and peer training.

Partnership of the Municipality of Milan:

  • International relations - International Cooperation and Solidarity Office,
  • Human resources, 
  • Directions involved depending on the topics. 

The initiative began in 2013 and is still ongoing.

The project is aimed at strengthening local authorities, in order to help reduce the distance between institutions and citizens and allow the most fragile territories to acquire and capitalize on experiences and good practices in the sectors of expertise. It also aims to: 
• Enhance the human resources of the Municipality of Milan
• Promote sustainable urban development

• The Municipality of Milan offers local authorities in developing countries the opportunity to benefit from technical assistance abroad from Milanese officials and to benefit from training for their employees at the offices of our Administration. 
• The activities of "Officials Without Borders" are planned and supported by the International Cooperation and Solidarity Office within projects financed by national and international bodies, using the funds allocated to the project in question and without additional costs for the Municipality of Milan.
• The request for technical assistance and peer training is agreed upon by the body responsible for the international cooperation project with the Cooperation Office, which asks the relevant management to identify the employee who meets the necessary characteristics and who has made himself available.
• The duties of the official, the methods and period of travel and the hours of service to be dedicated to the project are agreed between all the parties involved, including the employee, and the collaboration agreement is signed between the body coordinating the project, the local authority of the Third Country and the municipal administration - International Relations Sector.

  1. In 2013, over two hundred employees expressed interest in participating and attended the information meeting on the program and decentralized international cooperation.
  2. From 2013 to today, 8 missions have been carried out: 1 Official in Beirut (Lebanon), 5 Officials from Tulkarem (Palestine) in Milan, 1 Official from Bethlehem (Palestine) in Milan, 1 Official from Metuge/Pemba (Mozambique) in Milan, 1 Official in Ramallah (Palestine), 2 Officials in Bahia and Pernambuco (Brazil), 1 Official in Metuge/Pemba (Mozambique) and 1 Official in Sonsonate (El Salvador) in the sectors of food, technical assistance to municipalities, community resilience and sustainable development for small farmers.

Updated: 18/08/2022