Global Training, Local Value
Report
Global Training, Local Value
A data-driven report on the economic footprint of the International Training Centre of the ILO at local and national level
Every year, more than 100,000 people from around the world come together through the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) to learn, exchange ideas and build solutions for a fairer world of work.
For six decades, the Centre has helped governments, employers, workers' organizations and development partners strengthen skills, improve labour policies and advance social justice. But its impact doesn't stop there.
A new report, Global Training, Local Value, reveals another side of the ITCILO story: while its mission is global, its presence creates significant economic value for Turin, the Piedmont Region and Italy. Through training programmes, international events, partnerships and investments, the Centre supports local businesses, attracts global talent and strengthens Italy's position as a hub for international cooperation.
The findings confirm one key takeaway: the ITCILO and Turin’s UN Campus are systematic and significant contributors to Turin’s global visibility as well as to the local economy in Turin and Piedmont Region, and to that of Italy as a whole.
Christophe Perrin
Director of the ITCILO
A Global Mission with Local Benefits
The ITCILO was founded in Turin in 1964 as the training arm of the International Labour Organization. Today it delivers more than 800 learning activities every year, both online and in person, reaching participants from every region of the world.
ITCILO's programmes cover many of today's biggest challenges, including decent work, social protection, climate resilience, digital transformation, labour migration, artificial intelligence, gender equality, and skills development.
While learning activities brings together people who will go on to influence labour policies and workplace practices in their own countries, every participant who visits Turin also contributes to the city's economy through accommodation, transport, restaurants, cultural activities and local services.
The report provides the first comprehensive assessment of the ITCILO's economic footprint in Italy. In 2024 alone, the Centre generated:
- €13 million in direct economic activity across Italy.
- More than €62 million in total economic impact when indirect spending and staff expenditure are included.
Of that total:
- 79% (€49.1 million) benefited the city of Turin.
- 3% (€1.9 million) benefited the wider Piedmont Region.
- 18% (€11.2 million) benefited the rest of Italy.
The report further highlights that three sectors benefit most from the Centre's activities.
- Tourism and hospitality account for nearly half of the economic impact, generating approximately €19.3 million. International visitors stay in hotels, dine in restaurants and explore the city throughout the year.
- The events and cultural sector benefits through conferences, exhibitions, meeting venues and professional services, contributing €17.7 million.
- Meanwhile, building and infrastructure account for €6.2 million, reflecting the Centre's continuing investment in maintaining and modernising its historic campus.
The ILO Turin Campus stands as a global benchmark. Beyond all the statistics lies a vision: a city and region that embrace international cooperation not simply as a showcase or for prestige, but as a springboard for work. This work paves the way for economic progress and prosperity, not to mention social integration and justice.
Alberto Cirio
President of the Piedmont Region
More than Training
Economic value is only part of the picture. The report also shows how the Centre strengthens Italy's international profile through strategic partnerships with national and local institutions, universities, employers' organizations, trade unions and government ministries.
It also helps position Turin and the Piedmont Region as international centres for dialogue, innovation and sustainable development.
These partnerships expand Italy's global reach while creating opportunities for collaboration with countries around the world, particularly in Africa and Latin America.
The ITCILO is a concrete example of how a global vocation can generate profound and lasting benefits at local level, contributing to the growth of the community. A source of pride for the city and an opportunity for its future.
Stefano Lo Russo
Mayor of the City of Turin
A Campus that Connects the World
The UN Campus in Turin is itself an important part of the story. Located within the historic Italia '61 complex, the 10-hectare campus has been transformed into one of the world's leading international learning centres.
Today it includes:
- Three United Nations agencies
- 210 guestrooms with 300 beds
- 31 classrooms
- Innovation laboratories
- Conference facilities
- Restaurants and shared spaces
Thousands of participants pass through the campus every year, creating a vibrant international community while preserving an important piece of Turin's architectural heritage.
The report includes stories from participants whose experiences have shaped careers in government, trade unions, business and international development; demonstrating that the Centre's greatest impact may be the people it empowers.
Download the Report
Global Training, Local Value provides a detailed analysis of the Centre's economic impact, methodology, partnerships and future vision, supported by data, case studies and participant stories. It is a reminder that investment in international cooperation also means investment in local communities.
Click the button below to discover how a global centre for learning is delivering lasting value for Turin, Italy and the world.