In the historic town of Lucca, Tuscany, a different kind of gathering unfolded—no fancy coffee breaks, no five-star hotels. Instead, the focus was on authenticity, with local and fair-trade products with the main hall that brought together researchers, educators, grassroots practitioners, and youth-led organizations.
This wasn’t about abstract ideas or flashy presentations. It was about concrete, youth-driven initiatives and the power of community-led solutions. My question was: what if the big players could just resonate with these initiatives? And what if other communities in the world could be connected to this sort of projects?
This is where transformation begins—not in grand halls, but in spaces like this, where collaboration is real, and solutions are born from the ground up.
I found immense satisfaction in witnessing initiatives that embody the true essence of Future Rights, - which I strongly hope can be spotted by some enlightened bold funder or group of actors!- that united want to bring change, like Getup, a youth-driven social promotion association that dares to challenge the status quo. Getup reimagines spaces as places to create, not merely occupy. Because that’s what this is about: the vibrant creativity of young people, too often silenced or overlooked.
A telling example comes from a thought-provoking question posed by the association’s president: “What would you do if you had the keys to your school?” The answers, stark and disenchanted, speak volumes: “I’d throw the keys away.” “I’d burn the school.” Not one response imagined using the school to create something beautiful. Why?
Because decision-making power still overwhelmingly rests with adults. But when young people finally get the keys, they prove they can create wonders.
Getup has gone further: it has shifted the focus not only from adults to youth—already a demographic minority—but also toward marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ youth and those excluded by traditional educational paths. It transforms the so-called “periphery” into a fertile ground for opportunity.
Similarly, Portodellestorie is an association born in Campi Bisenzio, a place where cultural spaces and libraries have been replaced by shopping malls and abandoned factories-hopefully occupied by workers demanding for labours rights to be respected. Portodellestorie chose writing as a tool to amplify young voices, challenging the bias that only high school students can express themselves eloquently. Here, even those from vocational schools find a platform to share their stories, breaking down barriers of class and demonstrating that the “periphery” can be a place of possibility, not limitation.
Another remarkable example comes from B-Side, named after the often-overlooked tracks on vinyl records that sometimes turned out to be the biggest hits. Situated in a working-class neighborhood in Cinecittà, B-Side transformed a space once plagued by drug dealing into a vibrant hub. It’s now a gym where young people develop the “skills” to express themselves without fear or judgment, to tackle their insecurities, to work on concrete projects, and to cultivate mutual respect and collaboration.
But B-Side doesn’t stop there—it invites older generations to join in, experimenting with new ways to inhabit and create within these shared spaces. And when this kind of gym becomes a model, the vision expands: the same skills can travel beyond the neighborhood, fostering dialogue with peers from other regions, across the country. Perhaps one day, enabling children to become part of the European Youth Parliament, where young people serve as ambassadors for their causes, bringing their voices to decision-making tables where the future is shaped.
When we speak of spaces and time, we cannot ignore the work of Libera: a network of associations, social cooperatives, movements and groups, schools, unions, dioceses, parishes, and scout groups, united in the commitment not only to act against mafias, corruption, crime and those who feed them, but also strongly 'for': for social justice, the search for truth, the protection of rights, transparent politics, a democratic legality based on equality, a living and shared memory, and for a citizenship that lives up to the spirit and hopes of the Constitution. Libera , which has long encouraged youth organizations to rewrite the narrative, inspires moving beyond judgment and prejudice, having confidence in young people’s ability to create new and meaningful commitments.
This same spirit drives those who, despite difficult teenage years spent in "educational centers"—not for wrongs they committed but for those they suffered—managed to turn pain into opportunity. Through hard but transformative journeys, these young individuals have confronted and overcome injustice and suffering, reclaiming their visibility and agency. A shining example is Generazioni Fuori dal Comune, an association of students and workers created to provide political representation for youth, often ignored. This group has even participated in municipal elections, bringing young voices into the political arena, where they are still too often absent.
The drive for change also resonates with those who find a new home far from where their journey began. Tutori Volontari Minori Stranieri, an association of tutors working with foreign unaccompanied minors, leverages projects like Raccontaminarsi to foster integration through art and storytelling. Street art and murals become tools for expressing resilience and dignity, breaking linguistic barriers, and leaving lasting marks in their communities.
Among these inspiring stories is that of a young person from Germany, a member of the Trails Angel group. Drawn to Tuscany’s historic, artistic, and natural beauty, they have created innovative tourist routes that combine environmental sustainability—a key concern for today’s youth—with the preservation of cultural heritage. It’s a powerful example of how young people can connect universal values with local action, enriching the dialogue between cultures.
These projects demonstrate that when the world turns its back on you, the answer lies in turning to your territory, your community, your school. And if no one listens, be the one to lead the change.
Young people cannot afford the luxury of pessimism; their creativity is the engine of the present. Giving up with a resigned “nothing will change” only leads to stagnation. But when politics moves closer to young people instead of waiting for them to knock on its door, extraordinary things happen.
The outdated narrative that paints youth as immature or incapable only perpetuates inaction. But when young people are given a white canvas, their potential knows no bounds. This is evident in Tuscany, where youth-led initiatives for youth have transformed entire communities. How many artists and visionaries were once young? If we keep postponing the future, we risk losing the spark and originality that only exists now.
Participation is not just about being present; it’s about self-discovery, growth, and enrichment. Change is already here—it’s called youth.
Comments