The energy of the first WE CRI camp in Potenza for the Digital Bridge project
The Fondazione Mondo Digitale took part in the first WE CRI Camp of the Digital Bridge project. The meeting was held in Potenza on 22 and 23 November, bringing together volunteers and employees from committees in southern Italy for two intense days of training and experimentation.
Digital Bridge: training for the future
The event is part of the broader framework of the Digital Bridge project, led by the Italian Red Cross and selected by the Fund for the Digital Republic - Social Enterprise (Social Digital call for proposals), whose objective is to reduce the technological gap within the association and to support the updating of digital skills (upskilling and reskilling) of volunteers and employees. The training course is divided into three key areas to address the technological and organisational challenges facing the association: Digital CRI, Digital Skills and, for the Potenza Camp, Soft and Life Skills. Enhancing soft skills means promoting a more participatory, communicative and collaborative culture.
The Potenza experience: soft skills and innovation
In Potenza, the focus was on developing soft and life skills, encouraging the shared construction of common languages and visions. Thanks to the trainers from the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, participants worked with innovative methodologies such as Lego® Serious Play® and Agile, which allowed them to experiment with new approaches to managing complexity and transforming problems into shared solutions. Many volunteers emphasised how the course exceeded their initial expectations, going beyond purely digital training. Rosaria Ferrara said: ‘I expected a more IT-focused course, but in reality we learned methodologies for generating ideas and innovation, and for approaching our volunteers in a different, more innovative and engaging way.’
The value of discussion and networking
The face-to-face training allowed participants to exchange ideas, share experiences and imagine new solutions for the needs of volunteers. Clara Bianco emphasised: ‘It gave us the opportunity to exchange ideas and put forward new ideas and solutions for the needs of volunteers who wanted to approach our organisation. And since volunteers are the driving force behind our association, we are grateful to this course for giving us the opportunity to reflect on new methodologies and tools.’ The camp was also an important moment of personal growth. Maria Concilia Galiandro said: ‘I was delighted. I met lots of people I would not otherwise have met and got involved in activities that brought out many emotions and things within us that we did not know we had.’ Barbara Cappia was moved by the same spirit: "I came to this course to increase and also change my personal skills. I really like what we are doing: these are activities that make us think and work on ourselves.‘
The power of “us”
One of the most widely shared themes was the strength of the group. Assunta Valentino reminded us how important the collective dimension is in our daily work: ’With “I”, you get nowhere. With “us”, on the other hand, you win." The value of networking was also emphasised by Riccardo: ‘The group is fundamental. This was a perfect opportunity to get to know each other better, first of all personally, and then to get to know others: to network and create a group that can win every day.’
The training session was led by Cecilia Stajano, community manager for the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and certified facilitator of the Lego® Serious Play® method, Francesca Lisi, psychologist and HR specialist, and Marco Rossi, Agile facilitator.
