Nessuno in strada – Circoli rifugio
Implemented in 16 Arci shelters in collaboration with a network of families linked to the leisure groups in 12 region in Italy: Veneto, Piedmont, Liguria, Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, Umbria, Abruzzo, Lazio, Basilicata, Puglia, Campania, and Sicily.
Starting date
1 September 2020Duration
12 monthsRealized by:
Arci NazionaleObjectives
Setting up at least one shelter in every area involved; each shelter will host 4-6 persons, for a total of at least 60. There are two possible modalities: one family (defined as a group made of single persons, couples, several individuals or groups of friends) belonging to an Arci leisure group can host, or a leisure groups can directly manage an apartment or space for hosting.
Guaranteeing empowerment and independence to individual beneficiaries and the families involved. In order to make sure that the protection granted is not only temporary, the hosting program can last up to 6 months. This period can be used to activate services that help the beneficiaries reach independence and social inclusion, learn the Italian language, find a job and enhance their competences.
Strengthening the system of shelters for the homeless, regardless of their stay permit, promoting a culture of acceptance.
The recipients of the project’s activities are homeless people, including minors who are at least 16 years old, regardless of their nationality, documents and stay permit. The beneficiaries will be able to access various opportunities, including:
- legal/administrative assistance and training: information on current legislation, on the procedures to request international protection and the types of stay permit, vocational training, Italian language courses;
- interpreting and mediation services: finding interpreters, translating document needed for social, legal and cultural activities, organizing specific interpreting missions in project facilities.
Lockdowns and the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are having serious repercussions on homeless people and on refugees who have no means. There has been a strong reduction in the number of beds available in shelters, both due to cost cuts and to social distancing measures in place. Because they don’t meet the requirements, they no longer have access to safe shelters, which entails greater risks for their own health as well as public health.
The Nessuno in Strada – Circoli Rifugio (No one in the street – Arci shelters) project acts on the emergency of those people who are excluded from shelters, thanks to the active participation of a national network of Arci leisure groups and various other associations. They open their premises in part or in full to host people during the day and during the night. The project will organize a voluntary and active citizenship response integrating leisure group activities and project activities to offer shelter as well as human rights protection—which is much needed in Italy. It will also contribute to building a culture of acceptance cutting across public and private sectors.
Local entities participating in the project: Brancaleone (Rome), Angelo Mai (Rome), Arci Pietralata (Rome), Cantieri Meticci (Bologna), Akkatà (Bologna), Ritmo lento (Bologna) Tangram (Padua), Scuola di Pace (Ventimiglia), Margot (Carmagnola, Turin), Futuro Imperfetto 2.0 (Pescara), Sant’Erminio (Perugia), Jonas (Terni), Eventi Sociali (Naples), Porco Rosso (Palermo), Ferrandina (Potenza).
Further reading:
Buddismo e Società 205, 1 febbraio 2021: “Nessuno in Strada”
