On April 22, 2023, with the adoption of the decree-law no. 44, the Italian government introduced a significant measure for recognize the value and commitment of the operators who participated in the universal civil servicereserving the 15% of the places available in public competitions and in the hiring of non -managerial staff in favor of those who have completed the service without demerit.
An important step to enhance the social commitment of young people and encourage entry into the world of work for those who have chosen to contribute to the community. However, an important question emerged in relation to the possibility of applying this reserve also to those who had previously carried out the Alternative civil service to compulsory lever.
Until a few months ago, in fact, the rule seemed exclude Volunteers of this type of service, not equating it, according to a restrictive reading, to the universal civil service. This had created a disparity of treatment between the different groups of volunteers, despite the social value of their commitment was comparable.
The new rule
The good news is that, with the entry into force of the decree-law 25/2025, the regulatory framework has changed. Art. 4, paragraph 4, of this new decree canceled the difference in treatment between those who carried out the universal civil service and those who participated in the alternative civil service to the mandatory leverage. Based on the new provision, in fact, public administrations are now obliged to reserve a share of places in public competitions also in favor of the latter, creating an opportunity to access the world of the most fair work for all volunteers.
With the legislative change, the system of public competitions therefore becomes more inclusive, recognizing the value of the civil service in all its forms. This represents a significant improvement for young people who have chosen to devote themselves to the common good, guaranteeing them equal opportunities in the public job market.
What changes for volunteers?
From a practical point of view, the volunteers who have completed the alternative civil service to the compulsory leverage can now access the reserve of 15% In public competitions and in the hiring of non -managerial staff, on par with those who participated in the universal civil service. This means that their commitment and experience will no longer be ignored in the selection phase for public hires.
In addition, this new provision offers greater visibility to the value of the civil service, underlining the importance of this type of experience not only from a social point of view, but also in terms of professional and employment growth for young people.
Thanks to the decree-law 25/2025, those who have chosen to dedicate a year of their lives to the civil service, be it universal or alternative, will finally see their commitment in the policies of access to public work.
A gesture that not only rewards individual volunteers, but also contributes to building a more open, fair and grateful public administration towards the experiences that enrich society.
