The Portineria di Comunità di Porta Palazzo was established in 2020 through the transformation of a former newsstand into a neighborhood outpost for services, relationships, and cultural exchange. Promoted by the City of Turin with the support of the Migrant Pastoral Office and the CRT Foundation, the initiative aims to support vulnerable people while fostering social cohesion in one of the city’s most multicultural areas. Conceived as a meeting point and connector, the Portineria functions as a gateway to the local social services ecosystem and as a space for community life.
The project is promoted by the Italian Network of Popular Culture, which adapted the French “conciergerie” model to the local context, integrating it with municipal services through community animation and development actions. A Collaboration Pact formalized the co-management of the public space, following a co-design process involving the City, the Refugees and Migrants Committee, and partner associations to define shared objectives, guidelines, and activities.
Today, the Portineria operates through a co-management model involving several third-sector organizations working closely with local authorities. Together, they provide integrated services such as social guidance, support for workers’ rights, homework help, Italian language courses, and assistance for homeless people. Acting as a central hub for more than 100 public and private stakeholders and serving over 1,000 residents, the Portineria represents an innovative neighborhood concierge model that promotes human rights, access to services, social inclusion, and community building through trust-based relationships and collective action.
