- In the 2019-2020 period, 17 architectural and pedagogical initiatives were implemented at primary and childhood schools in Italian suburbs
- Ten of these were completed during the Covid-19 pandemic, and by the end of 2021, 90 initiatives will have been carried out
Rome, June 7th, 2021 – Enel Cuore and the “Fondazione Reggio Children – Centro Loris Malaguzzi” continue their commitment to closely support local areas by accelerating the “Fare Scuola” project. In the last two years, from 2019 to 2020, 17 architectural and pedagogical redevelopment projects were carried out in 17 primary and nursery schools in suburban areas throughout Italy. Out of these, 10 were completed in 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, confirming the deep synergy between Enel Cuore and the Fondazione Reggio Children, which worked to expand project growth despite the obstacles. The most recent redevelopments involved schools in Naples, La Spezia, Genoa, Valle Castellana (Province of Teramo), Belluno, Cittareale (Province of Rieti), Pinerolo (Province of Torin) and Taranto. In addition, the projects in Sesto San Giovanni (Province of Milan) and Palermo were completed with the support of Enel Cuore as well as through contributions by Enel Energia.
Michele Crisostomo, President of Enel and Enel Cuore, said: "We are proud to have contributed, together with the Fondazione Reggio Children, to setting the benchmark for the education of future generations. Enel Cuore has always committed itself to combating premature school dropout rates and educational inequalities and the pandemic has further highlighted the need for projects such as ‘Fare Scuola’, which considers school as environents not only for children’s pedagogical development, but also as spaces where more inclusive relationships can be created, making increasing use of digital tools. In recent months we have understood the weaknesses but also the extraordinary potential of an education system, which can, and must, be a driving force for the sustainable development of our country.”
Carla Rinaldi, President of Fondazione Reggio Children, said: "Reinforcing the courage, leadership and identity of schools in suburbs: that is the goal we set with the ‘Fare Scuola’ project, together with Enel Cuore. This objective has been reinforced during the pandemic, with the completion of ten further initiatives. And that’s not all. The idea of the school as a vast laboratory, typical of this highly participatory project, proved to be extremely valuable both for those who were able to continue activities in person – in new flexible and well-equipped spaces – and through remote learning. Together with schools, communities and architects, we have developed concepts, encouraging schools to suggest their own ideas, stimulating new and different approaches.”
Fare Scuola promotes an innovative idea of using school spaces, which endows each area with an educational value. The project started in 2015 by combining Enel Cuore's knowledge of local social contexts with the pedagogical experience of Fondazione Reggio Children, and by the end of 2021 it will reach a total of 90 projects in kindergartens and primary schools. From 2015 to 2020, 76 school initiatives were carried out throughout Italy, involving more than ten thousand children, over 300 teachers and 40 architects and designers. During the pandemic, a digital platform was also created, thanks to which the participating school teachers can discuss various topics relating to teaching. The initiatives have made it possible to reconvert corridors or little-used classrooms, transforming them into useful research, relationship and learning environments. These new spaces can host various activities, such as: Food Labs, Digital Material Workshops or Library Spaces. The Fare Scuola project is consistent with the fourth of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, relating to access to quality equitable education.
Enel Cuore supports projects and initiatives that create strong benefits on local communities. Interventions carried out in collaboration with Third Sector organizations are divided into four areas: improvement of old age poverty, aid for families and mothers in difficulty, contributions to the education of children and adolescents, social and scholastic inclusion of those with special educational needs and actions aimed at future generations, finding work and social integration for young people and autonomy for people with disabilities. Such projects are aimed at people of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest, and are line with various of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, developing models that create inclusive and equitable value, just like our energy does.
Fondazione Reggio Children – Centro Loris Malaguzzi was founded in 2011 in Reggio Emilia. Its mission is to improve the life of communities in Italy and around the world by promoting children's rights, starting with the right to quality education. The Foundation promotes close relationships between research and solidarity, establishing projects and actions in partnership with institutions, organizations and companies that wish to participate and contribute to the idea of a shared development culture, internationally and in Italy, focused on the enormous potential of childhood. One feature shared by all the Foundation's numerous projects and activities is a multidisciplinary approach to investigation and discovery embracing numerous areas of research and action: contexts and technologies in learning processes, play and learning, education and politics, participation and shared equality, sustainability, taste and well-being.