Icehearts Florence: new experiences, new opportunities for growth

In the Florentine neighborhood of Rifredi, a group of about 20 12-year-old boys and girls have embarked on a journey of physical, creative, and relational activities as part of the Icehearts Europe project. Coordinated by Uisp Florence in collaboration with the Il Cerchio Association, the project covers several areas: sports, educational support, expressive workshops, and, above all, building relationships.

The children participate in cycles of 3-4 meetings for each activity, including squash, parkour, skateboarding, drawing, rap, hiking, and circus arts, in collaboration with local associations, gyms, and music schools. The goal is twofold: on the one hand, socialization among peers, and on the other, familiarity with local resources, creating a support network inside and outside the gym. “Consistency is the key,” says Edoardo Mughini, mentor of the group and reference figure for the project in the area. "We see each other every week, and this creates trust. Over time, the kids start to share, they open up, and you see profound changes: their faces change. It takes a while, but then you see it happening."

Edoardo has been working in the area for twenty years as an educator, animator, and psychologist. Today, he is an active member of the Il Cerchio association and has been collaborating with Uisp for some time. “I grew up professionally in the Uisp summer camps, and knowing the neighborhood well allowed me to directly involve boys and girls who would otherwise have remained on the sidelines.” In a working-class neighborhood, in fact, the social network can be fragile. This is why Icehearts is not limited to physical activity but becomes an opportunity for young people to discover themselves and the world around them. “After a workshop, a girl said to me, ‘I'm happy because I discovered that I can do this.’ At that moment, it wasn't just a sporting achievement, but a step forward in self-awareness,” says Mughini.

Deeper needs also emerge during the various meetings. "One girl was struggling with her physical appearance, and through sharing with the group, we were able to guide her towards a path to feeling better. Another wanted to play volleyball, but her mother didn't know how to go about it: we made the right contacts to make it possible..." Many young people, says Mughini, once they have tried an activity, decide to sign up because they have discovered a passion and also a place to cultivate it: that too is an important result.

Icehearts Florence works on continuity and relationships, offering young people a safe and stimulating space where they can grow, experiment, and build meaningful bonds. All this is made possible thanks to a strong synergy between Uisp, schools, local associations, and families. “We are building a real network,” continues Edoardo, "and young people are beginning to feel part of it, no longer on the sidelines. "

Icehearts Europe, inspired by the Finnish model and coordinated by ISCA - International Sport and Culture Association, is active in eight countries, including Finland, Spain, and Denmark. In Italy, the project involves 400 boys and girls in 12 Uisp committees, with the aim of promoting social inclusion through sport and long-term mentoring. (Lorenzo Boffa) 

Funded by the European Union. The opinions expressed are, however, solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.