Entering the workforce can be a decisive step for a young person working to build their independence. For those serving alternatives to incarceration, access to practical training and support toward employment can also become an opportunity for a fresh start. This is why we chose to support the “There’s always an opportunity” project, promoted by Associazione Don Bosco IME (Ispettoria Salesiana Meridionale) ETS. The project aims to foster the social and employment inclusion of 30 young people between the ages of 16 and 30 who live in Lecce and the surrounding area and are serving alternatives to incarceration. Headquartered in Naples, the association is inspired by the values and charism of Saint Giovanni Bosco, founder of the Salesian Congregation, and operates across southern Italy through 28 locations in Campania, Calabria, Puglia, and Basilicata. For decades, the association has played an important role in providing educational and personal support to young people experiencing severe economic and social disadvantage. Through a network of youth centers, schools, vocational training centers, and educational communities, the Salesians promote personal growth pathways based on hospitality, listening, and recognizing the potential of every young person. The congregation’s educational approach places the individual and their needs at the center, promoting holistic development that combines education, training, and personal support. The project provides vocational training in agronomy, food service, and information technology, three areas selected for the tangible employment opportunities they offer locally. Alongside training, the program aims to support the beneficiaries’ effective social reintegration by fostering responsibility, personal growth, and self-awareness, as well as helping them develop the tools and skills needed to achieve greater employment independence. The classroom-based training will take place at the Associazione Don Bosco facility in Lecce, which has long served as an educational and social point of reference for the local community. This training phase will be followed by direct workplace experience through internships with local companies and businesses, allowing participants to turn the skills they have acquired into practical professional experience. The project will last a total of 18 months and will be structured into three integrated and complementary phases: individual assessment and personalized guidance; vocational training and on-the-job skills development; support toward employment, including internships with local companies and businesses connected to the association’s educational network. The internships are therefore a key component of the project. The goal is to create a tangible bridge between training and employment, providing young people not only with theoretical and professional skills, but also with the opportunity to gain direct experience in a workplace environment. Another important aspect of the project is the involvement of local Social Services and the Juvenile Court’s Office for External Penal Enforcement in Lecce, which recognize the project’s value in terms of social reintegration and restorative justice. Our contribution will support part of the overall project costs, helping create a tangible pathway for the young people involved based on training, skills development, and support toward employment. A straightforward but effective way to turn an opportunity into practical tools for building greater independence. Details Location: Lecce Association: Associazione Don Bosco IME ETS Beneficiaries: 30 young people between the ages of 16 and 30 Contribution: up to €80,000 Period: July 2026 – January 2027
