Shaping public attitudes towards migrants and refugees: the effects of the Humanitarian Corridors programme in Italy

Over the last decade, as the global number of forcibly displaced people has risen, Western countries have adopted strict migration policies. Meanwhile, some European countries have introduced community-based sponsorship programmes, such as the Italian Humanitarian Corridors (HC), involving private and public actors in refugee resettlement. Enthusiasm for these programmes is often driven by the belief that they can positively impact society by changing negative attitudes towards migrants and refugees and fostering more inclusive communities. However, comprehensive research exploring sponsorship effects on the broader community is lacking, particularly in Europe. This article addresses this gap by investigating HC's impact on Italian communities and institutions. Findings show that sponsorship initiatives can have positive effects on public attitudes, especially when the entire community is involved. Increased government involvement could further bolster these positive changes.