The lack of participation of young people at local level is increasing all overall in Europe. The importance of youth involvement at local level is highlighted by the European Social Charter which emphasizes the role of local authorities in offering opportunities for young people, not only to learn about democracy, but also to use its practices.
Add Something Meaningful addresses this problem through the application of the innovative Ideathon method. What does Ideathon mean?
The Ideathon is a contest which involves young people at local level, who challenge each other in the design of a project to be realised at local level. After two weeks of preparation and design, during a final event, the projects are presented, and through a voting system, the participants themselves elect the winning project. In the following weeks, all participants will be involved in the finalization of the project, in synergy with local authorities and youth organizations.
Between 2024 and 2025, thanks to Add Something Meaningful, three projects were funded throughout Italy. The first saw the creation of a social and aggregation space in the municipality of Contessa Entellina (Palermo), and some spaces for the youth council. The space, accessible to all citizens, was regenerated and hosts workshops, laboratories, film clubs, etc.
The second funded project involved the municipality of Casteldaccia (Palermo). In this case, an urban regeneration project was selected, which includes the creation of some sports facilities open to the public and an urban garden in an almost abandoned area of the town.
The third winning project is currently being implemented in the municipality of Caravaggio (Bergamo) with the support of Fili Intrecciati. QR codes will be installed in the streets of the town, which refer to the artists and information about the history of Caravaggio. The Caravaggio project also had the support of some commercial activities, which together with the municipality have decided to refinance another Ideathon contest next year, to further implement the regeneration of public spaces. All three projects, awarded and financed with a fund, have as a common denominator sustainability over time and use by the entire citizenry of the three countries involved.
For more information on the Ideathon and upcoming ADD project activities, contact Mario Badagliacca: mariobadagliacca@cesie.org.
About the project
ADD – Something meaningful a project funded by DG EAC, Erasmus+: Key Action 2, Strategic Partnership in the field of VET.
Partners
- Association for culture and education PiNA (Slovenia, coordinator)
- Municipality of Ankaran (Slovenia)
- CESIE (Italy)
- Comune di Contessa Entellina (Italy)
- Pistes solidaires (France)
- City of Pau (France)
- Peace Education Institute (Finland)
- ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy (France)
For further information
For more information on the project read the project factsheet.
For further information, contact Mario Badagliacca: mariobadagliacca@cesie.org.
