Italian Associations Abroad

Representatives of REGISTERED Associations participate in the indirect election of the 43 members of the General Council of Italians Abroad (CGIE) representing the Italian communities abroad, who are added to the 20 government-appointed members. According to the law establishing the CGIE, Law No. 368 of November 6, 1989, article 13 c.1:

“The members [of the CGIE not appointed by the government] are elected by an assembly formed for each country by the members of the COMITES [Committees of Italians Abroad] duly constituted in the countries indicated in the table attached to this law and by representatives of the associations of Italian communities in a number not exceeding 30 percent of the members of the COMITES for European countries and 45 percent for overseas countries, taking into account the requirements set by article 4 and the procedures provided for in the implementing rules of article 17 that must ensure, in terms of representation, the associative pluralism.”

As specified by art. 7, c.1 of D.P.R. No. 329 of September 14, 1998, which regulates Law No. 368 and supplements art. 13 c.1 of said Law:

“The associations whose representatives may be designated as members of the Assembly must be registered in a special register at the Diplomatic or Consular Representation, showing the date of establishment, the statutory purposes, the share capital, and the names of the legal representatives. They must have been operating in the country for at least five years.”

With regard to the Com.It.ES, Law No. 286/2003 and Presidential Decree No. 395/2003 provide for an active role of the Associations registered in a specific register in the appointment of co-opted members (art. 7 Law No. 286/2004) and non-elective members of the Com.It.ES (art. 23 Law No. 286/2003).

In accordance with Ministerial Circular No. 2 dated 9.10.2013, concerning “Italian associations abroad”, associations must meet the following requirements to be registered:

– Have at least 25* members who are Italian citizens resident in this jurisdiction as recorded in the consular registers of the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto ;

– The association must have been operating for at least 5 years and must prove the carrying out of concrete activities corresponding to the purposes of its Statute and the interests of the community and its members it represents.

The Consulate will examine the compliance of the Association requesting registration with the above criteria for possible inclusion in the register, also assessing, on a case-by-case basis, the organization and relevance of the activities carried out in the territory.

*The minimum requirement of 25 Italian resident members applies due to the fact that the Toronto jurisdiction has a number of Italian residents, as recorded in the consular registers, below 100,000 units. Should the number of Italian residents recorded in consular registers increase beyond 100,000 units, the minimum required number of members who are Italian residents would be 35.

Registration requests must be sent by email to the following email address: toronto.consolato@esteri.it

Registration requests, pursuant to the aforementioned Ministerial Circular, must contain:

• Registration Form duly filled out (please, check the “first application” option). On the form, applicants must indicate:
  • The exact name of the Association and its complete address (including email address and useful telephone numbers);
  • Date of establishment and of incorporation (if applicable) with local Authorities;
  • Main purpose (as deduced from the Statute) in support of the interests of its members and of the Italian community. Any purpose which is not forbidden to individuals under criminal law is admissible (art. 18 of the Constitution of the Italian Republic).
  • Share capital;
  • Names of legal representatives and holders of corporate offices / members of governing bodies;
  • Number of members who attended the last Assembly;
  • Activities carried out during the last year and their dates. A detailed report in PDF format to be attached is preferable;
• List of members in PDF format (specifying which of them are Italian citizens residing in this Consulate’s jurisdiction), for women always indicating their maiden name;
• Copy of the Statute in PDF format.

Eligible requests will be directly registered, within 45 working days from the formal date of receipt, in the relevant list published on this site and periodically updated: Registry of  Italian Associations Abroad.

Non-inclusion in the list within the aforementioned time limit indicates the ineligibility of the application.

Please note that Associations listed in the registry must:

a) Promptly report any changes to the Statute, contacts (address, email, telephone numbers), the number of members, resubmitting the application form (this time checking “update”) and/or any modifications to the attachments sent as part of the registration request  (e.g., Statute);

b) Preferably by March 31 each year, the aforementioned associations must send by email a summary of the activities carried out (with dates), including the convening of their yearly Assembly, in the previous year, plus any changes in corporate offices / members of governing bodies.

If the Consulate does NOT receive the report referred to under point b), or considers that the activities indicated are irrelevant, or ascertains that they were not carried out, the Association will be removed from the registry.

Similarly, Associations will be canceled if the number of Italian resident members falls below the minimum requirement.

Cancellation may occur also in the event of failing to respond to requests for updates or to requests aimed at ascertaining the requirements mentioned by the Association, sent by the Consulate.

Associations may also be canceled due to dissolution or upon express request of the legal representatives.

It is upon registered Associations to periodically verify the Registry published on the website. Requests for information to this effect will not be met.

If needed, the Consulate will contact the Association for clarifications.