Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, Launch of the Project for 60 Multifunctional Spaces

Approximately 250 million euros of the 2021-2027 National Programme on Inclusion and Fight against Poverty will be allocated to build 60 “communities for adolescents” throughout the country. The presentation event of the public notice DesTEENazione-Desideri in azione (DesTEENation-Desires in Action) which is addressed to the Ambiti Territoriali Sociali (Local Social Agencies) was held in Rome at the National Museum of 21^st Century Arts. Among those present were Marina Elvira Calderone, Minister of Labour and Social Policies, and Eugenia Roccella, Minister for Family, Birth Rate, and Equal Opportunities. The Istituto degli Innocenti will provide technical assistance to the project as stated in the new cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies.

60 “communities for adolescents” will be created in Italy

The 60 “communities for adolescents” will be innovative and inclusive multifunctional spaces with services for young people aged 11 to 18, where they can meet and find qualified answers to the numerous needs of such a complex age.

The project aims at creating multifunctional experience spaces for adolescents and pre-adolescents. These centres will function as integrated service hubs, where young people will be guided through various pathways designed to foster their personal and social development. The goal is to help them acquire skills that support their individual growth, promoting autonomy, active participation, and social inclusion. The initiative aims to combat school drop-out rates, enhance emotional and relational skills, and prevent the increasing spread of youth distress.

These spaces will be created with 250 million euros from the EU-funded 2021-2027 National Programme on Inclusion and Fight against Poverty. The name of the initiative DesTEENazione-Desideri in azione (DesTEENation-Desires in Action) was chosen by the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), the Italian body that participates in the Child Guarantee.

Technical Support by the Istituto degli Innocenti

This Florentine organisation will provide technical assistance to the implementation of these “communities for adolescents” throughout Italy. This is part of the new cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies to provide scientific support, tutoring to local actors, training to practitioners, supervision and methodological strengthening to the local network of professional services. This new agreement strengthens the Institute's scientific and organisational technical support for the implementation of national and international projects, programmes and activities within the Ministry's remit.