MICROPOLIS
A new community welfare model
Territory
Provinces of Agrigento and Trapani
Implementation period
July 2022 – July 2025
Donor
CON I BAMBINI social enterprise
Project objective
Our objective is to overcome the fragmentation and discontinuity of services for early childhood in three popular suburbs of Marsala (TP), Mazara del Vallo (TP) and Agrigento (AG), lacking services and opportunities for minors, by activating three micro educational spaces based on the outdoor education pedagogical method and the educational methodologies of Pikler, Montessori and Steiner. The partnership shares a new community welfare model where early childhood services are integrated into the collective action of an educational network.
Target audience
The project targets children living in the areas involved, with particular attention to minors at risk of social marginalisation and high levels of poverty, who remain outside the access lists for municipal and state management services. It targets the families of these minors, and the staff and volunteers of local educational agencies (local authorities, schools, ETS).
Activities
The project activates 3 micro educational spaces in peripheral urban contexts 5 days a week in morning and afternoon sessions for minors and families in situations of social and economic fragility. The three refurbished spaces become the venue for new or complementary educational services:
Outdoor education activities for minors and families (creative workshops, events, family meetings, music therapy) with a pedagogical approach based on direct contact with the environment.
Psycho-pedagogical support services with birth, maternity and paternity support, strengthening of parenting skills, care and support in disability situations, for families and the educational community.
Training courses for operators, volunteers and parents who attend the educational spaces in various capacities.
Development of a high nutritional value "Food Box" to promote a healthy and balanced diet culture among families. The action includes the donation of 210 Food Boxes to economically fragile families and activities to combat educational poverty on health and nutrition.
3 social support services with proximity service.
Creation of a community crowdfunding campaign to support initiatives for minors living in fragile contexts, to rebalance opportunities and capabilities for children and families from contexts of strong deprivation.
Scientific anthropo-pedagogical action promoted by the 2 partner universities with a final workshop for social workers, coordination table representatives and service representatives.
Impact
650 minors (250 in Marsala, 150 in Mazara del Vallo, 250 in Agrigento) directly involved in educational activities, with a consequent reduction in the range of beneficiaries who do not access active services
340 families with increased parenting skills from direct participation in educational activities
24 operators and teachers who have improved their professional skills from the project training activities
Contacts
For more information on the project or to participate you can contact Daniela Avanzato
ContactsPartners
Consorzio Solidalia Società Cooperativa Sociale Onlus (lead), Fondazione Comunitaria di Agrigento e Trapani, Arché Onlus, Associazione Casa della Comunità Speranza, Associazione Eduverso, Comitato di quartiere Fontanelle Insieme, Comune di Marsala, Comune di Mazara del Vallo, IACP Trapani, Istituto Comprensivo "Mario Nuccio" Marsala, Istituto Comprensivo "Paolo Borsellino – D. Ajello", Istituto Comprensivo Statale "Anna Frank", Istituto scolastico I.C. G. Boscarino-A. Castiglione, Koinonia C.S.R.L., Libera Università degli Studi di Enna "Kore", Parrocchia San Nicola – Fontanelle, Synergia Srl, Università degli studi di Palermo – Dipartimento di Scienze Psicologiche, Pedagogiche, dell'Esercizio Fisico e della Formazione, Zeroseiup s.r.l.
Programme
The project was selected by CON I BAMBINI under the Fund for combating educational poverty among minors.
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