In 2018, Microsoft and the Fondazione Mondo Digitale will continue to work together on “eSkills4Change” (Dec. 2017 – Dec. 2018), the project financed as part of the global YouthSpark Programme, which provides thousands of young men and women with greater opportunities in the fields of education, employment and entrepreneurship.

Thanks to the large community of teachers, students, makers, artists, designers and developers at the Phyrtual Innovation Gym, the Fondazione Mondo Digitale organises events throughout Italy, both inside and outside of schools, to help young men and women to experiment and experientially acquire the right mental attitude for change, as well as the fundamental competences necessary to solve problems creatively and innovatively. The aim is to help them understand the strategic role of digital competences in everyday contexts.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Project “eSkills4Change” involves over 8000 young men and women aged 15-24 in educational activities throughout Italy. In particular, the project will focus on women and the four regions in southern Italy with the largest unemployment rate: Calabria, Sardinia, Sicily and Puglia.

ACTIVITIES

The main project activities are modular and flexible so that they can be easily adapted to the various contexts and personalised as necessary. Based on "learning by doing" and "peer to peer" education, the activities are designed to attract youth that is neither in education or work and not used to structured courses.

• Fast forward: mini digital manufacturing labs for young men and women to learn how to transform an idea from a prototype into a product. A workshop where ideas and things come together: quick reparations, production of original items and experimentation for new uses.
• Hackathon: mini coding marathon dedicated to apps and programmes that simplify our lives.
• Creativity Jam: mini design marathon dedicated to creative solutions for specific local issues.
• Internet Cafés: in neighbourhood schools open to all young men and women.
• PopUP Maker: socialisation events (drinks, aperitifs, etc.) to accelerate connections and create collaborations amongst start-ups, companies, young men and women, creative professionals, etc. to promote a flexible mentality amongst youth, makers and Italian SMEs.
• Fashion Tech: accessories, low cost jewellery … technology for a changing world of fashion. Educational days with hand-on training for young unemployed women to attract them to learning.
• Non-Stop Motion: lab days to learn how to narrate via this filming technique.

The best five teams that emerge in the various challenges will have the opportunity to participate in Microsoft Imagine Cup 2018.