Italy Launches Platform for Youth Voices

Why this is here: The platform’s proposals address nine key areas of young people’s lives, from schooling and citizenship to housing and employment, aiming for a holistic approach to supporting the next generation.

Twenty-two associations in Italy recently launched “Ci siamo!”, a national platform with nine proposals addressing housing, employment, education, and civic participation for young generations. The initiative began with the Forum Disuguaglianze e Diversità, evolving into a collaborative effort among organizations. Several Sicilian groups, including Presidio Partecipativo del Patto di Fiume Simeto and Fondazione Comunità di Messina, contributed to the platform’s development over nine months of discussion.

The proposals aim to remove obstacles and create opportunities across key life stages for young people. Organizers note a growing disconnect between young citizens and traditional political processes, evidenced by rising abstention rates—roughly 40% among 18 to 30 year olds in the 2022 elections, a jump from about 13% between 1994 and 2006.

The platform is now entering a phase of local experimentation, with groups like the Presidio planning workshops and assemblies to gather feedback. Vera Pavone of the Presidio emphasizes the importance of this network for Sicilian organizations operating in marginalized areas, allowing them to amplify local needs nationally. The work continues as organizers seek to refine the proposals and expand their impact.