Often, the first step in providing tangible support to people experiencing hardship is to give them a place. A space open to the community, where people can meet, learn, and build relationships, but also a home where they can temporarily find safety and the time they need to start over. This is the goal of the “Welcome project”, promoted by Anni in Fuga APS, an association that has been active since 2016 in the Municipality of Nonantola, in the province of Modena, working to address poverty, hardship, and vulnerability by fostering participation and solidarity within the community. The association is also committed to promoting discussions on immigration, citizenship, and emerging forms of poverty, encouraging dialogue among different cultures and working with public institutions and local organizations to support tangible pathways to inclusion and the protection of rights. The project involves the purchase of two properties in the heart of Nonantola, located on the ground floor and second floor of a building in Piazza Liberazione. The goal is to strengthen a permanent hub for hospitality, connection, inclusion, and solidarity, capable of responding both to international humanitarian emergencies and to local social needs. The first property, approximately 90 square meters, is the association’s current headquarters and will continue to host its social, cultural, and educational activities. Every year, around 300 people take part in initiatives such as after-school programs, digital education workshops, Italian language courses for foreign residents, a solidarity purchasing group, and many other activities focused on inclusion and participation. The second floor houses an approximately 80-square-meter apartment that will be used for the temporary accommodation of families and people facing severe housing difficulties. The space will be able to host up to 6 people in vulnerable situations, offering them a safe environment from which to begin a path toward greater independence and reintegration into the community. To make the purchase possible, the association has already launched a fundraising campaign and raised a significant portion of the resources needed. Our contribution will help complete the amount required to purchase the ground-floor property, which houses the association’s headquarters and spaces dedicated to social and cultural activities for the community, thereby ensuring continuity for the initiatives carried out locally. Details Location: Nonantola, Province of Modena Association: Anni in Fuga APS Beneficiaries: Approximately 300 people each year through social activities; up to 6 people in vulnerable situations through temporary accommodation Contribution: €60,000 Period: July 2026 – June 2027
