The pilot wants to contribute to arising knowledge of SDG’s by connecting it to a concrete project activity: an electoral programme to be developed by the pilotee on the use and exploitation of Movicentro, an exhibition area located nearby the train station in Bra, a small city in North-Western Italy.
The aim is to propose new ways to exploit this place for youngsters in connection to the upcoming municipal elections, in which the pilotee runs as candidate. The pilotee receives theoretical knowledge on the SDGs trough an online module, practical knowledge on Design Thinking techniques and then develops a proposal for the electoral programme that shall highlight the connections to relevant SDGs.
The idea is to renew this place, under-used since its construction by dedicating several days per month to exhibitions (artistic ones), promoting awareness days (for example, about sexual diseases, or about prevention of lung cancer), events (such as Illustrious meetings or Monthly discussion nights about books) and so on. Thanks to cooperation with local actors (Slow Food, UNISG, Egea – an energy company, ASL), it will be possible cover different age groups, involving them to create a new way of living this area.
Challenge:
Develop the part of the electoral municipal program dedicated to young citizens, including a SDG perspective
The pilot relates to sustainability education from an internal and external perspective.
Internal: the pilotee follows an online module on SDGs and a series of self-reflection activities to get to know the SDGs and increase his self-awereness on the topic.
External: the electoral programme aims to contribute to sustainability education by leveraging a specific urban area, Movicentro, to provide community-focused learning opportunities, aligned with the SDGs. The proposal focuses on renewing an under-used urban space, which directly addresses sustainable urban development (SDG 11). By revitalizing Movicentro, the proposal exemplifies practical applications of sustainable practices in urban planning and community development.
By organizing exhibitions, awareness days, and events, the proposal educates the community about various sustainability issues. These activities are designed to raise awareness among different age groups, fostering a culture of sustainability within the local population.
The proposal involves cooperation with local actors: this collaboration facilitates knowledge exchange and collective learning, encouraging stakeholders to contribute to and learn from the project.
The proposal combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. This integration is essential for sustainability education as it helps learners understand the real-world implications of sustainability theories.
By targeting different age groups, the project promotes intergenerational learning.
The project’s activities are designed to encourage sustainable lifestyles. Through exhibitions and events, participants can learn about sustainable practices in areas such as transportation, energy use, and waste management.
Target Groups:
The internal beneficiary of the pilot is Marco Perrotta, a 24-year-old student in Government sciences at the University of Turin.
The external beneficiaries of the pilot are:
- Local Community Members: Residents of Bra and the surrounding areas are primary beneficiaries. They gain access to renewed public spaces, participate in events, exhibitions, and awareness days, and benefit from enhanced community engagement and social cohesion.
- Students and Youth: Students from local schools and universities can participate in educational activities, workshops, and hands-on projects. They benefit from experiential learning opportunities. Also teachers and educational institutions can benefit.
- Municipal Government: Local government officials and urban planners can use the project as a model for sustainable urban development and community revitalization.
Solution
New proposals identified for Movicentro:
- Illustrious meetings, with some relevant representatives of the LGBTIA+’s community
- Monthly discussion nights about books that address the issue of Gender Equality or related stories
- Installation of Art galleries and Exhibitions with local and young editors’ support
- Installation of solar panels
- Cooking day, in collaboration with UNISG and Slow Food, accompanied by some simple lessons about ingredients used during the cooking, their life and so on, and how to manage organic waste.
Innovation
The student (pilotee) was not familiar with the SDGs and, quite surprisingly, they were not part of his university curriculum, even if he was enrolled in course of “Government sciences”. The approach used was explicitly and directly connected to a personal project and had the clear potential of bringing added value to it, increasing his chances of being elected as young counsellor.
The pilot connects directly with a community project.
Impact
Participating in the Movicentro project has been an enriching experience that has contributed significantly to my personal and professional development. Through the project’s focus on revitalizing an under-used urban space, I have gained a deeper understanding of sustainability issues and practical solutions. This hands-on experience has allowed me to see the tangible impact of sustainability initiatives in a community setting. The project has provided opportunities to think creatively and develop innovative solutions for community engagement and space utilization. I have developed as well my entrepreneurial skills by exploring new ways to attract and involve diverse age groups in the project. Facing various challenges throughout the project, from logistical issues to unexpected obstacles, has helped me become more adaptable and resilient. I have learned to approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset and remain flexible in dynamic situations.
Overall, the Movicentro project was a rewarding and transformative experience. It provided invaluable lessons in sustainability, project management, and community engagement.
This student project is submitted through:
Smart Revolution