The Gal Terre Vibonesi and the Valentia Academy APS Association are strategic partners of the European Resolution – Rural Empowerment and Strategic Opportunities for Young Leaders United Towards Innovation and Networking, approved within the Erasmus+ program (Action Ka154 – Youth participation). The project, which will start in September 2025 with a two -year duration and a budget of about 60,000 euros, sees Calabria protagonist on the national panorama of social innovation for young people of the rural areas. Promoted by the Gal GardaValsbbia (BS) as leader, the partnership includes, in addition to the Gal Terre Vibonesi and Valentia Academy APS, also the Gal Prealpi and Dolomiti (BL), the Revival Association – Young Dossena Group (BG), the Genensenschaft Für Regionalwick Cooperative UND WEITERBIKGG SANNTAL (BZ) and the Municipality of Gagliano Aterno (AQ).
Calabria at the center of European social innovation
Resolution was born to concretely face the challenges that characterize the rural areas, particularly felt in the Vibonese territory: geographical isolation, the lack of opportunities for young people and the need to strengthen the dialogue between citizens and institutions. The project aims to transform these critical issues into opportunities, making the young Calabrians protagonists of the change through the creation of rural youth advice, the organization of “cultural bivouacs” for the comparison with the institutions, the participatory mapping of territorial opportunities and the development of innovative tools for youth governance.
“The participation of the Gal Terre Vibonesi in this important European project confirms our commitment in creating concrete opportunities for the young people of the Vibonese territory – declares Vitaliano Papillo, president of the Gal Terre Vibonesi. – The rural areas of Calabria have an extraordinary potential that can only be enhanced through the active involvement of the new generations. With Resolution we want to demonstrate that our villages can become innovation and democratic participation, To be the protagonists of their future without necessarily having to emigrate.
A project born from listening to the territory
The project is based on a preliminary investigation that involved 100 young people between 16 and 30 years of age and 40 young local administrators under 30 from all over Italy, highlighting particularly felt needs in the Calabrian rural areas: lack of aggregation spaces, poor knowledge of European opportunities, social isolation and weak participation in community life.
Among the main results expected by the project include an interactive map of local opportunities, a toolkit for rural youth governance and a network of young local decision -makers in constant dialogue with European institutions and networks. The model developed in the Vibonese can be replicated in other Italian and European rural contexts.
The strategic role of the Gal Terre Vibonesi and Valentia Academy
The presence of the Gal Terre Vibonesi and Valentia Academy APS in the partnership guarantees Calabria a leading role in this important European project. The experience gained by the Gal in territorial animation and the ability of Valentia Academy in youth involvement represent a fundamental added value for the success of the initiative, which will bring innovative methodologies and best practical practices for youth participation to the Vibonese.
Resolution represents a unique opportunity for the young Calabrians to confront their European peers, acquire new skills and actively contribute to the sustainable development of their territory, showing that rural areas can be places of innovation and future.
Note
Erasmus+ is the program of the European Union that promotes education, training, youth and sport in Europe. The ka154 action specifically supports youth participation activities, encouraging the involvement of young people in Europe’s democratic life at all territorial levels.