The project aimed to promote young people's active citizenship and activism through participatory art methodologies, such as social action photography and photovoice. The specific objectives were: OB1: Developing active citizenship skills in young people through the promotion of values such as empathy, social inclusion and solidarity. OB2: Transmit to young people a method to capture with a new perspective some aspects of the context in which they live, through social action photography and photovoice. OB3: Encourage young people to become promoters of a positive change in reality, through the construction of a counter-representation and a positive narrative of the situation of marginality. The project was particularly designed to address the needs of young people aged 18–30—especially those from disadvantaged or multicultural neighbourhoods in Padova, Rome, and Paris—by leveraging creative and participatory visual methodologies like photovoice and social action photography. Across the activities, the project involved youth, Third Sector educators and artists, fostering a cross-sectoral and intercultural approach.
The project idea arose from key needs identified among young people, especially in disadvantaged urban areas. First, a) the need to have a voice in their communities, expressing experiences, challenges, and ideas for improvement. The project responded by offering a visual and narrative voice, enabling youth to become storytellers of their own realities. Second, b) the need to develop useful skills—teamwork, project planning, and creative thinking—while gaining self-awareness and understanding of their local context. Third, c) the need to strengthen critical thinking and active citizenship: through reflective photographic activities and exhibitions, participants analysed social issues, formulated perspectives, and engaged in civic dialogue. Fourth, d) the need to counter isolation, which had increased feelings of loneliness and disconnection: the project created spaces for social reconnection through collaborative creativity, reinforcing emotional well-being. Finally, the need to experience activism and see the impact of their actions: exhibitions and public presentations gave participants tangible proof of their contribution to social change.