Workshops, meetings, listening spaces, and creativity for children and families in underserved neighborhoods. A national project to tackle school dropout and create new opportunities.
A special summer is taking shape in Naples and Palermo through E.N.E.R.G.Y – Enhancing Nurturing and Education Rights GloballY, a national educational and social initiative supported by The Human Safety Net, the foundation by Generali, and implemented by the Fondazione Reggio Children – Centro Loris Malaguzzi in collaboration with local schools and associations. This wide-reaching project puts the rights of children and families at its core, operating in urban areas where educational poverty and social hardship are most severe.
Following its initial launch in the Ponticelli district of Naples, the project has now expanded to Palermo, specifically to the Sperone and Brancaccio neighborhoods, establishing itself as a participatory and multidimensional model for educational renewal and parental support.
In Naples: The First Step Toward Change
In April, the first cycle of E.N.E.R.G.Y activities began in Naples, involving the 83rd Comprehensive Institute Porchiano Bordiga, Remida Napoli, and the Aporema Association, with coordination by Fondazione Reggio Children. In the eastern neighborhood of Ponticelli, children aged 0 to 6, their families, and teachers have taken part in creative workshops and sessions focused on digital literacy, graphic arts, nature, and storytelling.
Parents are also actively involved in empowerment pathways that explore critical thinking, media use, and emotional well-being. Running through to 2026, the project aims to strengthen educational and relational skills within the community.
In Palermo: A Free Summer to Grow Together
Starting June 16, the project is now active in Palermo, offering a structured and free educational program for families with children aged 4 to 6. There are three main components:
- “Nello stesso mare” (In the Same Sea) – Free Summer Camp
Until the end of July, 40 children per week will participate in creative workshops, urban nature activities, games, and shared experiences at the Sperone-Pertini school and Ecomuseum Mare Memoria Viva, led by experienced teachers and educators. - “Orienta-menti” (Oriented Minds) – Parent Sessions and Children's Ateliers
Beginning in September, six cycles of sessions for parents and caregivers will be held, led by a multidisciplinary team, to address educational, relational, and emotional themes. Meanwhile, expressive ateliers will engage children up to age six. - Psychopedagogical Listening Desk
Set up within the Sperone-Pertini school, this space will provide support for children, youth, and families, offering counseling and activities both during and outside school hours. The aim is to address emotional, academic, and social challenges in an open, innovative environment.
A National Network to Grow Together
From its start in Naples and now expanding to Palermo, E.N.E.R.G.Y is shaping up as a national initiative that values local contexts, community networks, and the central role of schools as agents of change. By engaging children, families, educators, and associations, the project works on two levels: creating tangible opportunities today and building social capital for tomorrow.