"GRE(e)AT LAB - Gratosoglio: educational workshops of art and talent" is a project that was born in a context of great uncertainty, in a historical phase dominated by a global health emergency that has seen the closure of schools, to which have been added the last months of 2022 dominated by a world crisis that has brought the theme of war back to the centre of society's discourse, with the violent images of fighting that have invaded televisions and social networks, and with important economic repercussions for Italian families due to the energy crisis and the general increase in prices, which makes the lives of those living in precariousness even more complex.
In this context, the sense of bewilderment of the younger segments of the population has increased considerably and the problems are exacerbated in peripheral areas, where public services and institutions find it harder to respond to the many needs present and the risk of pockets of marginalisation is higher. Organisations play an important role by offering their experience and solidaristic nature so that together we can respond to the new needs, especially the educational ones.
The project aims to improve the quality of educational services for children and young people in the Gratosoglio neighbourhood in Milan, through non-formal education workshops using art, sport, play and raising awareness on fundamental issues such as the environment and the mafia phenomenon addressed to a school, educational centres and parishes in the area, with the involvement of 1,250 children and young people. The main activities will be the organisation of an interactive exhibition on prejudice 'The Others are Us', the use of cooperative games, social circus workshops, comics, murals, poetry slam and clownerie.
The GRE(e)AT LAB- Gratosoglio project is managed by Un Ponte Per with a wide network of partners and service providers who have been carrying out activities in the Milan area for years: Parada Italia Onlus, Libera. Associazioni, Nomi e Numeri contro le Mafie, CSV Milano- ETS, Lo Scrigno Società Cooperativa Sociale- Onlus, Casa per la Pace Milano, Arci Bellezza, ClownOne, SocialTime and Legambiente.
