Problem addressed

Futuro Direzione Sud plays a crucial role in mitigating two challenges facing southern Italy: youth depopulation, with the dramatic consequence of brain drain leaving a territory deprived of its potential for innovation, and high school dropout rate, in Sicily of 25.2%, supporting young people in choosing their future and motivating them not to lose hope in the future of the South. In fact, this program catalyses processes of change on various interconnected levels by initiating a reconfiguration of the territorial imaginary by activating in young people a new narrative of the South as a space of opportunity and innovation. It also develops territorial capacity building by strengthening the connections between the educational system and the local socio-economic fabric, creating enabling conditions for vocational and training paths rooted in the territory. 

Innovative solution

Futuro Direzione Sud offers significant added value through its innovative and interactive orientation methodology based on a peer-to-peer approach. In contrast to traditional face-to-face approaches, the project is based on an engaging combination of working tables and practical workshops. This methodology allows students to actively participate and acquire practical skills through direct and collaborative experiences. The interactive approach fosters deeper and more applied learning, developing practical and soft skills that are essential for professional and academic success.

In addition, the project is distinguished by the choice to move the school from a traditional setting to an environment of innovation and avant-garde. Instead of just conventional company visits, students explore cutting-edge locations that represent the future of the industry. This exposure to a dynamic and futuristic context stimulates the interest and curiosity of students and also prepares them to confront the realities and challenges of emerging sectors: being immersed in an innovative environment can help them better understand future professional opportunities and visualise how their skills can be applied in high-tech and innovative contexts.

Key results and benefits

The project is demonstrating a significant territorial activation capacity that has already involved more than 100 classes and 2500 students in the province of Catania; the synergic ecosystem integrates Isola Catania, the University of Catania and schools into a coherent intervention platform. The results show appreciation for the proposed format (85%), a measurable increase in the awareness of territorial and sectoral opportunities in Southern Italy (78%) among the young participants and a collective strong satisfaction for the self-entrepreneurship module (90%).

Potential for mainstreaming

The model presents high levels of transferability thanks to specific structural features such as the three-dimensional methodological modularity, adaptable to different territorial contexts. The sectoral element makes it possible to recalibrate the mapping of strategic sectors on the specificities of different southern areas, enhancing local territorial vocations. The institutional flexibility allows the collaborative model to be replicated in other regional contexts, creating a network of coordinated interventions for the development of the South. Futuro Direzione Sud has the projection of reaching 10.000 beneficiaries by May 2026.