Cities 4 YOUth Event in Italy (4th to 8th of May 2026, Faenza)

Introduction to the Implementation of the CERV Project in Italy

The implementation of the CERV project "Cities for YOUTH: Event in Faenza – Limassol" took place from the 4th to the 8th of May 2026 in Faenza, Italy, within the framework of the international "Youth Event in Faenza." The activity brought together participants from different countries in order to promote youth participation, democratic engagement, intercultural dialogue, and active European citizenship through a dynamic programme of educational and cultural activities.

Hosted in the Emilia-Romagna region, the implementation included activities in both Faenza and the nearby medieval village of Brisighella. Throughout the mobility, participants had the opportunity to engage with local authorities, ESC volunteers, schools, youth groups, and civil society representatives, creating a meaningful connection between local communities and international participants.

The programme was based on non-formal education methodologies and experiential learning approaches, encouraging active participation, teamwork, critical thinking, and intercultural exchange. Participants took part in debates, simulations, interactive workshops, group discussions, outdoor educational activities, and cultural visits focusing on important themes such as democracy, misinformation, human rights, inclusion, youth empowerment, and freedom of expression.

One of the most important aspects of the implementation was the direct involvement of the local community and educational institutions. Participants visited the Municipality of Faenza, collaborated with local youth volunteers, and interacted with students from local schools who presented educational initiatives and inclusive practices implemented in their institutions. These activities allowed participants to better understand the importance of local governance, civic participation, and European cooperation in strengthening democratic societies.

The project also promoted cultural awareness and appreciation of local heritage through guided tours and community-based activities in Faenza and Brisighella. Participants explored historical landmarks, local traditions, and social initiatives while taking part in interactive challenges and team-based activities designed to strengthen communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

A highlight of the implementation was the organization of discussion-based activities such as the Fishbowl Method and the Oxford Debate, where participants exchanged arguments and opinions on topics connected to education, gender-based violence awareness, and the role of formal and non-formal education in shaping inclusive societies. These activities strengthened participants' confidence in expressing opinions respectfully while developing their analytical and public speaking skills.

Overall, the implementation of "Cities for YOUTH: Event in Faenza – Limassol" was highly successful in achieving its objectives. The activity created an inclusive and inspiring environment for intercultural learning, active participation, and European cooperation, while empowering young people to become more engaged, informed, and active citizens within their local communities and across Europe. 

Day 1 – Tuesday May 5, 2026

Day 1 of the project, and this day was full of exploration of both Faenza, as well as neighboring village Brisighella! 

After being picked from the hotel, participants took a walk to the Municipality building of Faenza, where most of the morning activities took place. Introductions took place by Mr. Davide Agresti, an assessore in the municipal government. He is one of the many people who runs the city day-to-day, under the mayor.

This was followed by short icebreaking activities hosted by Tomazzo.

These icebreaking activities were twofold. First, to teach our names, while showcasing what we like doing with a hyperbolic ball of energy, then passing it around to other participants, while saying our names. The second activity was, after receiving a sticky note, to write down how we would finish the sentence "Youth voices are heard when...". Upon writing down our answers, we were then paired up with a random participant, then another two. In groups of four, we discussed our answers in plenary.

After coffee break, we were joined by a group of youngsters who study tourist, who gave us quite an extensive guide of the small town, these included the following –

Historic Center (Centro Storico) - where there is the Faenza Cathedral, which the youngsters explained how it was designed by Giuliano da Maiano, yet wasn't fully completed on the outside façade, and how it reflects Faenza's wealth during the 15th century.

Piazza del Popolo – the political AND social heart of the city since medieval times. Historically used for markets, public announcements, and even executions.

Teatro Angelo Masini – the main theatre of Faenza, located right next to the municipality, and actually directly connected to its city hall. The main area where cultural life happens.

Artisan buildings – lastly we saw artistic ceramics on many buildings, quite simply a visual reminder that Faenza is the ceramics city. Interestingly, the word faience comes from the name of the city.

As for the afternoon, we took a trip to Brisighella, a neighboring medieval hill village about 15 km from Faenza, located in the same region — Emilia-Romagna.

This was also where we had a tour of different important aspects of the village. These were the following

The Sleeping / Relaxed Soldier - represents peace after conflict rather than war itself.

Torre dell'Orologio (Clock Tower) – originally defensive, and its now symbolic

Via degli Asini – a uniquely covered medieval street built into the wall.

For the remainder of the day, we took part in an activity, similar to the work package in Pissouri, with Tasks taking place concurrently around the village. Split into groups, with different points on the map, members were waiting for us to complete tasks.

One took place at the Parco Giuseppe Ugonia, with the leader of the scouts of the area, showcasing rope lassos, while another took place in a clothing store which works alongside the Caritas foundation supporting migrants around the area. A third activity took place in the cinema of the village, based on quizzes about the village.

Having the opportunity to have dinner in the village, we returned to Faenza to rest for the 2 days ahead!

Day 2 – Wednesday May 6, 2026

Day 2 of the project, starting once again at the municipality of Faenza. This time around, the 3 ESC volunteers of the municipality, one from Spain, another from France and a third from Greece hosted the activities.

The first activity focused on a short debate-based activity where, depending on if participants agreed with the statement (or not) they either stood on the left side of the room, or the right). The questioned focused specifically on misinformation, such as

This was followed by a second activity built around the same concept, using "2 Truths and 1 Lie." Each participant wrote three statements; however, unlike typical Erasmus+ icebreakers, these were based on a topic of personal interest, with only one being false. Participants then presented their statements to the group, and others had to identify which one was incorrect. This activity demonstrated how the method can be adapted beyond icebreaking to support learning and topic exploration.

The third activity took place in national groups, focused once again on articles (wether online or in a newspaper) Each group had to write down what they consider a good article, and what not. For example,

Good articles:

• Uses reliable sources and clearly references where the information comes from
• Presents accurate, fact-checked information without misleading or exaggerating

Bad articles:

• Lacks sources or relies on vague/unverified information
• Contains misinformation, bias, or unsupported statements presented as facts

Following this, each group's paper was passed around to the other teams in a rotating circle. Each team reviewed the previous group's points and removed what they considered less important, refining the list. Each team then presented.

After coffee break, we were visited by Italian youngsters who go to Istituto Comprensivo Europa Faenza. This is a public-school complex in Faenza, which uses not only inclusive approaches, but also practical based learning methods, as well as European-oriented educational approaches.

The kids themselves used the opportunity to present what they do in this school, and were even aware of the Universal Decleration of Human Rights. This was followed by each national team presenting issues that their own public educational systems have, and how municipalities, or organizations (in the case of ACPELIA) intervene to fill in the gaps for.

This concept was followed after lunch, which took place in a nearby village called "Casola Valsenio meeting", where youth once again presented all about the Gypson Vein, a world heritage site we were to visit right after.

The last activity of the day was in fact a short hike into this Gypsum Vein, which is a long ridge of white and grey gypsum rock that cuts through the hills between Imola and Faenza. It was interesting place to visit and learn about its history, as the cave we visited was specifically designed to visit without any gear.

Day 3 – Thursday, May 7, 2026

The ultimate and final day of the project, and one with heat, both figuratively and literally.

The day began once again in the municipality of Faenza, beginning with activities based on defending opinions given to us. For example, one team received the statement "I can say whatever I want, and it is not my responsibility if this opinion hurts people". Then in our teams we had to defend this statement using 3 different methods. These were

1 – Logical: Defending the opinion using facts, reasoning, and structured arguments.
2 – Emotional: Defending the opinion by focusing on feelings, personal experiences, and emotional impact.
3 – Practical: Defending the opinion through real-life examples, consequences, and how it applies in everyday situations.

Next we tried out the fishbowl method. This method involves a small group of participants sitting in an inner circle and actively discussing a topic, while the rest of the participants sit in an outer circle and observe the discussion. At any given time, participants may enter the inner circle, to switch participants to tell their own opinions or arguments.

Now for the ultimate part of the project. The Oxford debate. Just like every other work package, 4 participants went against another four and this time around, the statement was as follows –

"This house believes that schools (formal education) should have sex and gender violence-based education."

This means that one team believes that the formal school system must directly teach about these topics, while the opposing team, while understanding its importance, believes such knowledge should be left for other avenues, such as NGOs, youth centers or something similar.

After much deliberation from the jury, which was made of by participants, of the project, the house that believes the opposite won!

During the afternoon, we took part in the Youth Festival, which was the European Union Fair of Faenza. Made up entirely by kids of the region, there was a choir, speeches by important persons of the area, including Davide Agresti as well as 15 stations of mini activities based on the EU. Of course, participants not only experienced the fair and all its mini-games but also took part by carrying flags of the EU during the opening ceremony.

Ultimately the project finished by having dinner which included snacks from each of the countries present in the project. A chill, meditation-style send-off.

Next stop, Valongo, Portugal!