S.T.E.P.S. initiatives by local stakeholders. Everyone can be a part of the solution.

From June 2021 to February 2023, the Municipality of Verona issued eight public calls aimed at soliciting contributions from citizens, institutions, associations, and other local stakeholders as part of the S.T.E.P.S. project. Specific eligibility and selection criteria were used in the selection of 17 beneficiaries and the allocation of 23 grants.

The funding provided through these grants has supported initiatives and activities that promote social and socio-cultural animations, circular economy, and interventions for the renewal and redevelopment of urban spaces. The project actively encouraged local actors and citizens to participate directly and contribute. Indeed, it's part of the S.T.E.P.S. project’ purpose to activate informal actions that come from community players to address the issue of loneliness.

Within the 3rd District of Verona, the following initiatives have empowered residents and stakeholders, allowing them to both benefit from and actively contribute to the project.

DBA Italia OdV is an association active in informing and supporting rare diseases. They received two contributions to redevelop two community spaces where people can share their time and abilities, create objects, make small gifts for fund-raising purposes, provide distance learning sessions that serve patients and their families, engage in raising community awareness campaign.

Gli Orti di San Giuseppe Odv is dedicated to the social reintegration and employment of individuals who have experienced detention or socio-economic difficulties. With the grant they could provide an area for gardening and horticulture with a tensile structure available for social activities, events, community and neighborhood celebrations.

APS DHUB is an association that aims to support women in their social and work integration and reintegration through various forms of support. Enhancing a community space in Borgo Nuovo area, in partnership with San Vincenzo De Paoli's association, was the priority of their S.T.E.P.S.’ initiative mainly addressing reuse, artistic and recreational workshops.

Associazione ProWIN supported an informal group of citizens in the organization of several activities in the common areas of some condominium complexes in the Saval area. These were mainly recreational and well-being initiatives for all age groups, such as reading groups, gardening, gaming, physical exercise, etc.

Associazione Le Fate Onlus is active in the educational field, psychological well-being, women's social and working inclusion, and socio-cultural initiatives. In the S.T.E.P.S. project, they promoted the initiative named “Bestiario immaginato” (Imaginary Bestiary), i.e. activities to enhance children's creativity and sewing workshops for adults (parents, grandparents, and elderly) to make puppets inspired by the kids’ drawings.

APS ACLI Verona is an association that provides consulting services in the field of taxes, labor, and pensions, as well as develops projects for the community. In the S.T.E.P.S. project they received two contributions. The first was to implement "Il tè delle donne” (Women's tea), a self-help group for women and a supportive path for caregivers to overcome loneliness.The second contribution was meant for an informal field survey with a questionnaire that targeted both citizens and businesses to gather feedback on neighborhood living, relationships, issues, and suggestions for revitalizing communifty life. This activity was associated with the launch of the 'Neighbourhood Manifestos' and the dissemination of the S.T.E.P.S. Circuit (an initiative of the S.T.E.P.S. partnership intended specifically for shopkeepers, bartenders, catering and retailers, but not exclusively, to enhance new or existing micro-actions that foster community connections and social relations, such as. the table of conversation in bars and restaurants, the S.T.E.P.S. corner in stores, discounts and offers for materials to be used in self-construction workshops and common goods redevelopment, etc).

Cooperativa Sociale Spazio Aperto offers a wide range of welfare services, including social, housing, elderly, asylum seekers, mental health, minors aged 4-18, etc. They received two contributions. The first was “Progetto Affido” (Foster Care Project), which provides relational and social support between lonely elderly people and volunteer caregivers. The second was to start an aggregation center at the STEPSpoint Auditorium Saval to enhance active ageing, social inclusion, and psychophysical well-being of older persons.

Cooperativa Sociale Azalea also provides welfare services and moreover runs some businesses (a coworking space and two restaurants). They were given the S.T.E.P.S.’ grant to operate a telephone befriending service with volunteers’ active involvement. This is meant to be a resource for those who are feeling lonely and require a conversation or just listening.

Associazione Alzheimer Verona OdV serves patients and their families with supportive services. They used the grant to organize some public awareness events to challenge the stigma that persists around Alzheimer's disease. Music, painting and supporting activities could also be arranged to maintain the patients' remaining abilities and reduce the burden on their family members.

ETS Fondazione Edulife, an active foundation in the educational field and social innovation, promoted two initiatives (“Recycle-Lab” and “Geodetica”) to raise awareness about recycling habits and increase plastic circularity. They arranged workshops in schools, markets, fairs, and events for children, elders, and citizens in general by using special machinery and focusing on the communicative identity of a dome layout. They also launched a call to select and train elderly and young people as facilitators to disseminate the experience and ensure future continuity.

REDLAB Darkroom over the borders ETS is a project that utilizes analog photography and darkroom printing as a means of expression for people who have suffered trauma and those who live or come from difficult or disadvantaged situations. Through S.T.E.P.S.’ funding, they could offer training sessions that focus on representing loneliness through photography.

7 Meraviglie Impresa sociale, a cooperative active in community animation, has collaborated with APS ACLI Verona on the promotion of the S.T.E.P.S. Circuit and the S.T.E.P.S. digital map mainly aimed at shopkeepers, bartenders, catering and retailers.

Associazione culturale OVERLORD - SPAZIOMIO TEATRO is a cultural association. They received two contributions, the first of which was to redevelop a space, re-named as STEPSpointART, used for theatre courses and events. The second funding was intended to promote the use of theater as a tool for representing loneliness. A piece inspired by elder stories collected by a group of young people was conceived and performed in an itinerant way in different places in the 3rd District.

APS Il Melograno Verona is an association dedicated to supporting mothers. With the funding, they responded to the 3rd District area with an initiative named “Cerchi delle mamme” (circles of mothers) which explores the first year concerns of newborns and supports mothers in their postpartum challenges, needs, and expectations.

Centri Giovanili Don Mazzi Scarl operates a number of youth centers in Verona territory. They received two grants to redevelop a recreational sports area and to promote sporting and gaming activities especially for young people.

Associazione VERSO promotes projects of active citizenship. In S.T.E.P.S. project they organized a training path on active ageing to promote the participation of elders in the community’s life and needs through volunteering.

Associazione Il Germoglio coordinates day care centers for adolescents. They organized and designed a community mural at the San Massimo STEPSpoint. This was a collective artistic production made by the inhabitants of San Massimo intended to forge a sense of community.