Associazione Attiva-Mente

Associazione Attiva-Mente has been based in Modica (province of Ragusa), since 2013. Initially it was created to give international mobility opportunities to young people from Ragusa and Siracusa - the most southern provinces of Italy, with the highest unemployment rate and - at that time - with the lack of any experience in Youth in Action Programme. As this part of the country is massively affected by the phenomena of immigration (which is even more urgent now with the arrivals of refugees) andresulting in appearing struggles in terms of identity, diversity, inclusion and integration, Attiva-Mente obviously had to respond to these needs, setting the intercultural dialogue as one of its main working priorities, combining it with volunteering and non-formal education. The main target group are local young people. Therefore, the Association: - Promotes the idea of European citizenship through the participation of young people; - Promotes initiatives against racism and xenophobia; - Promotes culture as a mean of combating all forms of prejudice and social exclusion; - Promotes volunteering as a mean of change and to achieve a better society, encouraging active solidarity and participation by young people, without discrimination definition on sex, race, religion and economic conditions; -Promotes ideas of respect for sustainable development; -Promotes the theme of legality and anti-mafia issues. For reaching these goals, Attiva-Mente provides the following activities on regular basis: - A web radio channel "Radio Sbaglio", where young people have an opportunity for self-expression; - Various workshops and artistic and cultural events on interculturality, tolerance, interreligious dialogue, anti-xenophobia and European active citizenship; - Non-formal discussion groups in foreign language, to improve young people's language skills; - Support for young creativity, endorsing metal music festivals in Modica; - Participation in international and local Erasmus+ projects, including sending participants abroad and hosting projects at home; - Being an InfoPoint about international mobility possibilities for local young people; -Cooperation with refugee centres, schools and other local institutions. The organisation is a part of a professional trade union"ForModica", active in the field of the project professionals. The organisation is also an active member of EPTO | European Peer Training Organization since 2017.