'Altre Mete' (Other Destinations) is the name of a new program launched by the municipal government of Bologna for young travelers. It offers people aged 18 to 25 the opportunity to explore eight destinations off the beaten path, including in refugee camps. The program is designed to encourage integration and to teach young people to deal with the world's complex realitites.
The municipality of Bologna has launched 'Altre Mete' (Other Destinations), a travel program in war zones and marginalized destinations, designed for young people between the ages of 18 and 25.
The eight destinations off the beaten path -- from Ukraine to Saharawi refugee camps, from Kosovo to Peru -- are designed to offer travelers the opportunity to experience volunteer work and get acquainted with complex realities, say the left-leaning city authorities.
The initiative, co-founded by the Emilia-Romagna region around Bologna through the project 'Geco 14 -- Evolved and Aware Youths', is reserved for people permanently or temporarily residing in the metropolitan area of Bologna.
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Destinations and financial accessibility
Tours include a mission with the NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans to Lviv to support Ukrainian refugees, volunteer work in Peru's Amazonia with deaf children, and a stay at a Saharawi camp to take part in the international conference ARTifariti on art and human rights.
In Italy, experiences include a stay in Naples to discover urban regeneration projects in the Rione Sanità district and a residential camp in Turin with the organization Libera on the assets confiscated from mafia criminal syndicates.
Particular attention is devoted to economic accessibility, with the cost of a trip ranging from 150 euros for a destination in Italy to 1,200 euros for international trips, to make the experience as inclusive as possible.
"In a world increasingly at the mercy of nationalism and individualism, we are committed to promoting experiences starting with the meeting of different cultures to develop the construction of a civic conscience that goes beyond borders," said the local official in charge of youth policies and international exchanges, Mattia Santori.
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Applications begin on January 26, presentation of 'Altre Mete'
Applications open on Monday, January 26. The selection will be through interviews based on motivation, organisers said.
For further details on participation, deadlines and costs, it is possible to consult the website: https://www.flashgiovani.it/altre-mete-2026.
Moreover, a meeting to present the project 'Altre Mete' has been organized on January 26 at 6 PM at the Auditorium Enzo Biagi at Biblioteca Salaborsa.
The event will be attended by Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore, from the Democratic party (PD) Giovanni Paglia, Emilia-Romagna's councillor for youth policies, Mattia Santori, the municipality's advisor for youth policies, Veronica Ceruti, head of the Department of education and new generations, Laura Tagliaferri, in charge of youth services and exchange programs abroad, as well as representatives of the organizations involved.
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