Italy creates award to recognize Italian emigration: "silent heroes"

The General Council of Italians Abroad (CGIE) announced this Monday, December 1, 2025, the creation of Michele Schiavone AwardInternational recognition will be awarded annually to individuals, associations, and institutions that have distinguished themselves in defending the rights of Italians abroad and in promoting the human, social, and cultural heritage of Italian emigration.

The initiative honors Michele Schiavone, who was an advisor and later secretary-general of CGIE Between 2016 and 2024, Schiavone died in March 2024, after dedicating his life to serving Italian communities around the world. According to the CGIE, he was an "everyday hero and protector of the diaspora."

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The Council explained that the award stems from the need to recognize the role of the “silent heroes” in the history of Italian emigration. Over nearly two centuries, millions of emigrants faced challenges and overcame obstacles, transforming the destiny of communities and influencing public policies and institutional practices both in host countries and in Italy.

The award will be given to an individual, an association, and an institution that have made a significant contribution to the rights of Italian emigrants or people of Italian origin, helping to advance their rights and to recognize the role of the Italian diaspora in contemporary societies.

Applications must be submitted to the CGIE secretariat by December 31st of the year preceding the award ceremony. Exceptionally, for the first edition in 2026, the deadline will be extended to February 28th.

The selection will be made by a committee chaired by the Secretary-General of the CGIE and composed of the Chair Committee and institutional and communications sector representatives. Among them will be the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President of the Dante Alighieri Society. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, will be the honorary president of the award.

The awards ceremony will take place during the CGIE Plenary Assembly. The three winners will be invited as special guests.

The complete public notice It is available on the official CGIE website..