“Civic Symphonies: youth in the Democratic Counterpoint” was the title of the panel held during the first day of the National Festival of Civil Economy.
As part of the program for the 7th edition of the event, there continues to be a strong focus on young people and the need to develop processes that increase their participation and place them at the center of territorial development strategies. The importance of developing a shared local strategic plan on Social and Civil Economy aligns with the guidelines from the Action Plan for the Social Economy, the Youth Action Plan, and the National Strategic Plan for Inner Areas (PSNAI), aimed at addressing the challenges of territorial impoverishment.
Marco Riccardo Rusconi (Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation) stated: “Italian development cooperation is present at this event because it also deals with global citizenship education, promoting awareness, responsibility, and reflection on the principles of the 2030 Agenda and international cooperation. With the Mattei Plan, the Italian government is strongly committed to strengthening partnerships around the world. Wherever there are universities and young people involved in cooperation—whether in Italy or partner countries—our presence is essential.”
Elisa Bernardini (Vice President of the National Network of Young BCC Members) highlighted: “For many years, cooperative credit has been attentive to young people and the local territories. Our banks are born from local communities and work for them. For over 15 years, we have launched a project dedicated to young members under 35, involving them in social, cultural, and financial education initiatives that can generate value for the territory.”
According to Andrea Sangiorgi (President of Young Members of Confcooperative Nazionale):“This Festival is a very important event for us because it allows us to engage with the academic and university world—a context that can offer many answers to young people entering the job market. As young cooperative entrepreneurs, we can offer various opportunities, and we hope young people will take advantage of them.”
The National Festival of Civil Economy (FNEC) is an initiative conceived by Federcasse (National Association of Cooperative Credit Banks, Rural Banks, Raiffeisen Banks), promoted with Confcooperative, and organized and developed by NeXt – New Economy for All, with support from Fondosviluppo, Assimoco, Assicooper, Federazione Toscana delle BCC, Enel, Frecciarossa, Publiacqua, and in collaboration with the University of Florence, SEC – School of Civil Economy, Gioosto, and MUS.E.
Source: press release – National Festival of Civil Economy
