Exducere Plenitude: with L’Albero della Vita Foundation to combat educational poverty

Study support, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), local culture: the three areas of intervention of the project, which involved six Italian cities.

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In an increasingly complex and technological world, access to education and culture is not a privilege but a fundamental right. Yet, educational poverty remains a persistent obstacle that endangers the full development of childhood. To offer concrete opportunities for growth and learning, Plenitude supported Fondazione L'Albero della Vita – an organization dedicated for years to protecting the rights of children and families in Italy and worldwide – and its project “Exducere Plenitude”. This initiative, implemented between the end of 2023 and the early months of 2024, involved 1,790 children aged 6 to 15 living in highly vulnerable economic and social conditions, along with their families, across six Italian cities: Milan, Genoa, Perugia, Naples, Catanzaro, and Palermo.

Through a program structured around three main areas – study support and socialization, STEM disciplines and digital education, and the promotion of local culture and heritage – Exducere Plenitude aimed to address educational poverty in these contexts by providing young participants with the tools needed to build a better future. The project's pedagogical approach, grounded in awareness and continuous improvement, emphasized the potential of each individual while promoting active participation in their community.

In 2023, the school dropout rate in Italy stood at approximately 11.5% (source: Fondazione L’Albero della Vita), a figure still falling short of the European goal of 9% by 2030 (Open Polis, 2023). Additionally, the latest Invalsi data (2022) showed a significant increase in “implicit dropout” rates, referring to students who, despite completing their education, fail to acquire adequate knowledge and skills in scientific and linguistic subjects by the end of their schooling.

The “Exducere Plenitude” project provided a journey of discovery and growth, guided by a methodology that prioritized the potential of every child. This approach was reflected in the three intervention areas of the project. From study support, where children received personalized assistance to tackle academic challenges and refine their study methods, to socialization activities, which transformed learning into a shared and stimulating experience. Then came the realm of STEM disciplines and digital education, where coding, robotics, and computational thinking workshops served as arenas for creativity and problem-solving.

It wasn't just about technology, but also about awareness: participants in the project learned to navigate the digital world responsibly, addressing the challenges of online citizenship. Finally, the exploration of local heritage and cultural assets offered a journey that opened minds to new perspectives and stimulated curiosity. Visits to museums, archaeological sites, and parks were formative experiences that enriched participants' cultural awareness and connected them to their communities.

The Exducere Plenitude experience unfolded differently in the six participating cities, adapting to the specific characteristics of each context. In Milan, for instance, the project gave children the opportunity to explore future technologies at the Step FuturAbility District and dive into the world of science at the Museum of Science and Technology. In Genoa, summer camps combined creative scientific workshops with visits to the Aquarium and the Galata Maritime Museum.

In Perugia, participants engaged in innovative activities such as analyzing the waters of the Tiber River and enjoyed the immersive experience of a mountain bivouac. In Naples, the activities focused on combating school dropouts by offering children meaningful alternatives during the summer months, such as visits to urban farms and screenings of inspiring films.

In Catanzaro, the “Digital Creative” workshop introduced children to 3D design and coding, while educational outings included visits to Ecolandia Park and the Lilio Astronomical Park. Finally, in Palermo, particular attention was given to unaccompanied foreign minors, with Italian language workshops, orientation programs, and visits to Libera Terra and social farms. Across all cities, the project fostered strong connections with local communities by engaging schools, families, and local institutions, demonstrating the importance of an integrated approach to tackling educational poverty.

The Exducere Plenitude project demonstrated that investing in education means investing in human potential, not only through the transmission of knowledge but also by sparking curiosity, nurturing creativity, and providing tools to face future challenges.