Foundations alongside young people, for everyone to participate and grow

For 57% of Italians, the city they live in doesn't offer adequate spaces and opportunities for young people, nor places that facilitate meeting new and interesting people (the percentage rises to 69% for residents of medium-sized cities). Then there's the issue of accessibility: where opportunities do exist, they're either too expensive (31%) or difficult to access (30%).

Furthermore, for the majority of Italians, offering children and young people more opportunities for growth and social interaction would reduce the risk of social marginalization, foster positive relationships, and enhance their talents.

This is what emerges from "Italians and free time. Young people and adults comparing interests and opportunities", a survey (full text here ) conducted by Swg and presented on the day of the launch of " Germogliazioni. Giovani primavera di comunità ", a campaign promoted by the Association of Foundations and Savings Banks Spa – Acri and the Italian Association of Foundations and Philanthropic Entities – Assifero , with nearly 200 associated foundations, on the occasion of the thirteenth European Foundations Day (scheduled as every year on October 1st).

From September 22nd to October 1st , 150 projects will be taking place throughout Italy, offering young people accessible experiences of culture, sport, knowledge, socialising and work every day ( Here are all the initiatives).

"Banking foundations," explains Acri President Giovanni Azzone , "stand alongside third sector organizations that promote inclusion and new opportunities for young people. We are convinced that if they cannot grow and transform, neither can the country. This is why foundations intervene in their local areas and nationally, such as with the Fund to Combat Child Educational Poverty and the Fund for the Digital Republic, because ensuring young people have the opportunity to fully participate means unleashing the energy, ideas, and innovations Italy needs to grow cohesively and inclusively."

According to Assifero President Antonio Danieli, "more than two-thirds of Assifero members support youth initiatives: education, training, prevention of hardship, entrepreneurship, orientation, and promoting enabling conditions to enhance skills and aspirations. Assifero itself has also decided to emphasize the centrality of this issue, working with young people to engage with them and encourage their participation in decision-making processes. For the 2025-2029 term, it has delegated a strategic mandate to Deputy Vice President Francesca Campora ."

The first step, he adds, "will be the expansion of the Future Chair program, already launched in 2023, and then a series of actions will follow to support a vision that sees young people not as mere beneficiaries of projects, but as proactive protagonists in the choices that shape the future of communities and our country."

Yes… Brilliant! is the initiative of the Cassa Di Risparmio Di Pistoia e Pescia Foundation that since 2017 has involved thousands of students and teachers every year in a challenge of creativity and skill.

Among the 150 projects participating in Germogliazioni, there are many diverse initiatives, all sharing the goal of offering new opportunities to young people. Some focus on combating educational poverty from an early age, for example, through services and activities in daycare centers. Others aim to engage young NEETs through training and orientation programs.

There is no shortage of initiatives promoted and managed by those under 30, such as community radio stations, cultural festivals, creative workshops, and self-managed spaces. Foundations also support programs that facilitate youth access to employment and entrepreneurship, as well as initiatives that introduce forms of direct youth consultation, including the creation of youth commissions or young advisory boards within the foundations themselves.

Germogliazioni 's initiatives are a small sampling of the thousands of initiatives implemented across the country by third sector organizations, promoting inclusion and combating inequality. Foundations support them every day, convinced that creating opportunities for all young people (regardless of their starting social conditions) fully implements constitutional principles and offers the country the opportunity to grow thanks to everyone's contribution.

SWG's research also shows that nearly half of Italians say they are dissatisfied with the quality and quantity of their free time. Study and workloads are the main barriers to fully dedicating time to themselves, followed by family obligations. Concerts, exhibitions, and sports are the most sought-after activities, yet local offerings only fully satisfy a portion of interested citizens . Italians recognize that providing more opportunities for young people would reduce the risk of social marginalization, foster positive relationships, and develop talents, with beneficial effects on the entire community.

Free time as a common need . For Italians, free time is above all an opportunity to relax and pursue one's passions; young people share this view but place greater emphasis on its social value, seeing it as a space to cultivate meaningful relationships.

The survey finds that nearly half of Italians are dissatisfied with the quality (49%, 39% of 16-25 year-olds) and quantity of their free time (54%, 50% of 16-25 year-olds). But beyond how they spend their free time, a concern is the actual correspondence between Italians' desires and passions and what's available in their local area: 59% say they're unable to do what they'd like (51% of 16-25 year-olds) and 52% are dissatisfied with the variety of stimuli and opportunities available to them.

Obstacles and barriers . The main causes of lack of free time are work and study loads (44% overall, 53% among young people), in addition to family obligations, which are more burdensome for adults. Young people also report organizational difficulties and digital distractions.

Causes of the gaps – Italians attribute the opportunity gap primarily to economic (83%) and regional (78%) factors, but also to their relationships and family networks (77%). For young people, the regional context and social circle are particularly important: if the environment doesn't offer stimulation or space, the opportunity for meaningful experiences is drastically reduced.

With the "Festival for scientific dissemination" the city of Fermo transforms for a few days into a stage for science: squares, theatres, museums and public spaces become places of discovery, dialogue and involvement

According to the study, 57% of Italians believe the city they live in does not offer adequate spaces and opportunities for young people (this percentage rises to 69% for residents of medium-sized cities), nor places that facilitate meeting new and interesting people.

Misalignment between interests and offerings . The most interesting and attractive leisure activities are: live music (63% for the total population, 65% for 16-25 year-olds), exhibitions (61% and 56%), and sports (58% and 64%). Among other things, the propensity for volunteering remains unchanged among the total population and young people (48% and 47% respectively). However, actual opportunities do not meet expectations: live music is adequate for just 32% of Italians; exhibitions for 31%; and sports for 45%.

Italians recognize that greater satisfaction among young people with their free time would have positive effects not only on individuals but also on society: reducing the risk of marginalization, fostering constructive relationships, discovering passions and talents, developing creativity and self-esteem, improving emotional well-being and even academic performance.

Causes of dissatisfaction . In addition to the lack of options and spaces, Italians also report high costs (31%), the distance to facilities (30%), and the lack of clear information on available opportunities (29%) as significant causes.

Opening and text photos by Acri press office

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