A participatory meeting for a shared goal. This is the meaning of the “FAMI 29 ITER” project presented at the “San Pietro” Monumental Complex in Marsala, managed by the Consorzio Umana Solidarietà in collaboration with the cooperatives Opera Prossima, Liberi D’Intrecciare, CE.PAID ONLUS and the Municipality of Petrosino , financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (FAMI) 2021-2027 under the Specific Objective “1. Asylum”, aims to strengthen services for unaccompanied foreign minors (MSNA).
Opening the proceedings were Marilena Titone, coordinator of the FAMI 29 ITER project, and Massimo Grillo, mayor of Marsala, who brought institutional greetings. Among the notable interventions, Giacomo Salvatore Anastasi, mayor of Petrosino, Antonio Sciacca, president of the “Liberi D’Intrecciare” cooperative, and Aldo Spanò, president of CE.PAIDSCS ONLUS, outlined the details and objectives of the initiative.
Launched on 31 July 2023, the project will last 31 months, as coordinator Titone underlined, and involves the reception of 50 unaccompanied foreign minors (MSNA), divided into two structures: 30 children will be hosted in a dedicated location , while 20 girls will find shelter in another. And for the first time ever, the female community of minors will be welcomed by the municipality of Marsala, with a view to implementing initiatives in their favor which will also be implemented in future projects.
The primary objective is to encourage the process of integration and reception of minors through a holistic approach that preserves their cultural identity of origin, while at the same time introducing them to the culture of the host country.
“There is maximum support from our administration – commented the mayor of Marsala, Grillo – we would like to study ways to go further, that is, aiming for forms of social work integration, the possibility of creating communities of families, offering training and much more. Marsala wants to be a witness of strong cultural integration through concrete initiatives.”
The FAMI 29 ITER project represents an extraordinary opportunity, creating a welcoming environment in which minors can feel protected, supported and valued, offering them integration paths that preserve their cultural identity of origin, but also help them find a new home in the country that hosts them. But not only that, it also aims to activate a support network in the areas of intervention, creating a welcoming environment for migrant minors and increasing integration opportunities.
All activities and initiatives revolve around the primary interest of the minor, guaranteeing protection, inclusion and support in a delicate path of personal and cultural growth.
“The logic of the network is important in these initiatives – commented the mayor of Petrosino, Anastasi – we have all the capabilities to welcome these minors, especially through projects, such as the one being built in Marsala, which bring together different subjectivities, from the private social and institutional, skills, with the presence of mediators, psychologists, educators and administrators. We have what it takes to welcome those arriving from outside in the best possible way.”
“This strategy allows us to start a path of multidimensional integration – underlined the president of the Liberi D’Intrecciare cooperative, Sciacca – favoring a context different from their country of origin but equally welcoming. Our role is to implement the services already offered by FAMI 29 ITER to give opportunities to these minors, such as the creation of professional paths to provide opportunities once the period of stay in our facilities is over”.
FAMI 29 ITER aims to create a welcoming environment for migrant children, increasing integration opportunities. The objective is to activate a support network in the areas of intervention, putting the priority interest of the minor at the center of all activities and initiatives, as underlined by the president of the CE.PA.ID cooperative
At the conclusion of the work, the project partners, in agreement with the municipality of Marsala, have undertaken to work together to implement actions in favor of foreign minors, to be implemented as soon as possible.
