Social support initiatives in Enna, Sicily

In Enna, Sicily, local authorities and social cooperatives are implementing initiatives to support vulnerable populations through community engagement and specialized care.

Local officials have initiated a dialogue regarding the ‘Dopo di Noi’ (After Us) initiative, which focuses on assisting individuals with severe disabilities in transitioning toward independent living. This effort involves meetings between the Municipality of Enna, local associations, and the newly appointed Guarantor for the protection and promotion of the rights of people with disabilities to address the needs of hundreds of residents, including those with autism spectrum disorder. The initiative follows broader regional challenges regarding the management of Sicilian funds allocated for housing autonomy.

Complementing these efforts, the So. Le di Enna social cooperative has launched a project funded by the Sicilian Region to engage residents over the age of 65 in volunteer activities. This program aims to combat loneliness and depopulation by training seniors to support local entities, such as mental disability aggregation centers and various community organizations.