DesTeenazione project expands youth inclusion initiatives in Italy

The DesTeenazione project, part of a national program for inclusion and the fight against poverty, is implementing various activities to support youth aged 11 to 21. The initiative is funded by the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, with co-financing from the European Social Fund Plus (FSE+) and the European Regional Development Fund (FESR).

In Bari, Deputy Minister of Labour Maria Teresa Bellucci visited the DesTeenazione multifunctional space to observe the project's progress. The center, which received an investment of 3.3 million euros, aims to foster autonomy, social inclusion, and skill development while preventing school dropout and social distress. The project involves Bari and 91 other municipalities, providing a safe environment for young people to cultivate their talents and engage with institutions.

In Caltanissetta, the project is also active, recently organizing a ‘Silent Book Party’ at the Luciano Scarabelli library. This event encourages collective reading in a shared space to provide a digital detox and a moment of community reflection. Local officials also used the occasion to donate books to the new DesTeenazione library space.