From 23 to 26 September 2025, the LISTEN project held a four-day training titled “LISTEN Capacity Building – Verona” at Casa Alpina “Paolo Cabrini” in Caprino Veronese (Italy). Organised by Oriel APS, the event gathered 25 representatives of NGOs, non-profit organisations, and community groups from across Verona, including many second-generation activists and migrant leaders committed to inclusion and civic participation.
The programme was designed as a progressive and participatory learning process, co-created with the Local Advisory Board and the participants themselves. It blended technical capacity-building, creative reflection, and emotional well-being, responding to local challenges identified during LISTEN’s participatory needs assessment which identified challenges such as limited funding, lack of partnerships, volunteer fatigue, and absence of coordination spaces.
Through plenary discussions, group exercises, and art-based methods, participants connected their personal experiences to collective learning, exploring how civic organisations can become more resilient, inclusive, and innovative.
The Verona capacity-building programme led to measurable progress across the civic landscape and laid the foundation for a local civic coordination network facilitated by Oriel APS. It also inspired participants to continue their collaboration through the upcoming Community Engagement Local Festivals, where the skills, partnerships, and ideas developed in Verona will evolve into concrete, community-driven initiatives.
Learn more about the capacity-building event in Italy here!