Project “Wszechnica Wiedzy“

The project incorporates common innovations and good practices. In teaching adults, learners attach more importance to what they experience, which is why experimental, problem-solving and discussion techniques work very well.
The aim will be to increase the opportunities for adult learners to obtain attractive educational opportunities and to promote the recognition of learning outcomes. The organisations’ cooperation will include the development of new methods to support adult learning and the creation of new educational programmes, more adapted to the needs of learners. This includes the exchange of experience and good practice to improve the quality of adult education activities, the development and testing of new adult learning plans and methods, including the use of modern technology, and the dissemination of the results of this work. An important area will be to provide workshop audiences with knowledge on how to use information and communication technologies to develop ways for people from different cultures to communicate, develop local communication channels, and establish local partnerships for solving problems related to the social integration of immigrants.

The tasks of Astipa will include a training course for representatives and NGOs in Italy (adults, active professionals, volunteers). Invitations will be extended to local activists from Italy; representatives of Polish organisations will also take part in the training. The training will cover issues such as: exchange, experience in social contact in Polish local communities with refugees/immigrants, innovative integration activities, volunteer building, translator. The training will devote an extensive block on the use of information and communication technologies, digitisation tools to learn about integration opportunities and building local partnerships to solve social problems related to cooperation with immigrants. Particular emphasis will be placed on the ecological aspect of running a social activity in the local community, case-studies on good practices will be presented. The Leader will be responsible for the implementation of the activity and will bear the costs related to the organisation of the training.

Meetings and activities

Meeting with Francesco Realmonte ETS

Venue: Via San Vittore 43, 20213 Milano
Date: 23 of February 2024

Organization profile

The Francesco Realmonte is a non-profit association with which ASTIPA cooperates.

Established in 2009 in memory of Professor Francesco Realmonte, a lecturer in Civil Law at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, it works alongside social workers, training them to become “tutors of resilience”.

In Italy, the association offers support to individuals with international protection, facilitating their access to services and opportunities that strengthen their capacities and contribute to the enhancement of their skills. At international level, the organization operates in countries affected by wars, environmental disasters, or conditions of poverty and chronic vulnerability.

Through training courses and workshops developed by the Resilience Research Center at the Catholic University (RIRES), the association works to ensure that individuals can appeal to their resilience, transforming pain into a new starting point.

Summary of the meeting

The meeting with Francesco Realmonte Association served to compare the experience of an organisation operating in a large city (with a metropolitan area of several million inhabitants) that has known large flows of migrants for many years, and a smaller organisation that is only now beginning to deal with the problems associated with the arrival of economic migrants and refugees.

Francesco Realmonte Association illustrated:

– its philosophy of supporting migrants and refugees

– the services offered (in particular psychological support, Italian language teaching, skills assessment and job search support)

– the organisation’s operating model (flows, access to services, collaboration with other organisations and/or institutions)

– the organisation’s financing system (private donations, public funds and self-financing through a small business – a tailor’s shop – that employs refugees directly)

More generally, the meeting served to tell about the interaction with migrants and refugees. The daily experience of the organisation is to deal with basic human needs (protection, food, shelter) that transcend any cultural differences. After that, there are obviously specific needs related to each person’s context of origin (religious, cultural and linguistic) that may require specific cultural mediation, although in most cases a generic flexibility and willingness to recognise the needs of others is sufficient. In practice, the migrant and refugee is not a cultural stereotype but a flesh-and-blood individual in a state of fragility, a man or woman with a particularly dramatic experience who needs to be welcomed and understood and with practical needs (e.g. an urgent need to find a source of income to repay debts incurred in their homeland in order to reach Europe).

Ex-ante and ex-post questionnaires will be used to measure the impact of training activities on participants’ knowledge, skills and competences.

Meeting with Vitality Impresa Sociale (Vitality)

Venue: Via Carducci 32, 20123, Milano
Date: 29 of March 2024

Organization profile

Vitality is a social enterprise based in Milan, dedicated to promoting open, inclusive, and integrated communities. The mission of Vitality is to value human diversity as a resource for the common good through activities in research, planning, and training.

It is a non-profit organization based in Milan, dedicated to promoting open, inclusive, and integrated communities. The organization values human diversity as a resource for the common good through research, planning, and training activities.

Vitality develops projects, training programs, and research by observing the dynamics of human interaction on cultural, social, and regulatory levels. They encourage individuals with ideas for social innovation to reach out, particularly in areas such as:

• Intercultural relations
• Art and communication
• Urban regeneration
• Food transition

The organization collaborates to:

• Design interventions
• Seek public and private funding sources
• Analyze sustainability plans, credit access, and facilitated finance
• Create a virtuous network

Vitality works to bring innovative ideas to life, fostering positive change in communities.

Summary of the meeting

Vitality Onlus hosted a meeting with external observers to discuss their ongoing projects and the crucial role of social skills in their work. The meeting was held at their headquarters in Milan, with Matteo Matteini, President of Vitality Onlus, leading the presentation alongside other key team members.

Matteo Matteini opened the session by providing an overview of Vitality Onlus. He outlined the organization’s mission to foster inclusive and integrated communities by leveraging human diversity. The organization focuses on developing projects, training programs, and conducting research that examines the cultural, social, and regulatory dynamics of human interaction.

The team members highlighted several key projects aimed at addressing the needs of diverse communities:

1. AIQ – Attivatore Intercullturale di Quartiere

This project (“Intercultural Neighborhood Activator”) serves as both a physical and virtual space designed to activate multicultural talent. It encourages listening, understanding, and forming relationships to imagine initiatives with a positive social impact. Whether individuals are in Italy for work, study, family, or after significant experiences abroad, AIQ welcomes their participation.

2. FED – Fuori e Dentro

FED is a virtuous cycle engaging residents of three popular Milan neighborhoods (Crescenzago, Niguarda, and Quarto Oggiaro) in the food transition. It promotes healthy, seasonal eating at affordable prices, offers true kilometer-zero products, organizes sustainable catering and community events, and fosters reflection and idea generation for a changing world. Locations include:

• Ideificio: via Padre Luigi Monti 18-20, Milan
• Ortocucina: via Capuana 7, Milan
• Ortoemporio: via Palmanova 59, Milan

   – FED is part of Quartieri Connessi (“Connected Neighborhood”), an initiative by the Municipality of Milan co-financed by the European Commission’s Pon Metro program and supported by Fondazione di Comunità Milano.

3. TYPUS – Transforming Young People Using Shakespeare

This transformative project uses Shakespeare’s theatre to engage young offenders and students in reflecting on sensitive issues related to crime, judgment, stigma, punishment, and redemption. TYPUS is co-financed by the Creative Europe Programme (CREA) and developed in collaboration with the University of Milan, Associazione Puntozero, NTNU – Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet, and Edra – Kinonikes Sineteristikes Drastiriotites Efpathon Omadon.

4. Lavoro su Misura.

The project (Tailor made Job) is transferring language and job skills to fast-track migrant women into the local job market.

5. Mobique – the mobile factory for resilient communities

The project is enabling rural communities is Senegal to generate income using a mobile fruit-drying factory

Matteini emphasized the pivotal role that social skills play in their work. He explained how effective communication, empathy, and cultural sensitivity are essential for building trust and rapport with diverse communities. These skills enable staff and volunteers to better understand the unique challenges faced by individuals and to design more responsive and effective programs.

The team added that training in social skills is a core component of their volunteer programs. Volunteers are equipped with tools to navigate cultural differences, resolve conflicts, and foster inclusive environments. This training ensures that interactions are respectful and supportive, ultimately enhancing the impact of their projects.

During the Q&A session, observers asked about the specific outcomes of their projects. Matteini shared success stories of individuals who have become community leaders, started businesses, and actively contribute to local cultural events. Another team member highlighted the positive feedback from local residents who have gained a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity and feel more connected to their neighbours.