Project No. 05/2025 –
Creation of an Educational and Creative Center
in the Japigia-Sant’Anna District (Bari, Italy)
The Conventual Franciscan Italian Province of St. Joseph of Cupertino (Abruzzo-Molise-Puglia) has proposed Educational and Social Project No. 05/2025, entitled “Educational and Creative Center for Minors in the Japigia-Sant’Anna District.” The project is aimed at creating and strengthening a permanent education center for minors and their families, in a setting marked by significant social, cultural, and economic vulnerability.
The project is being implemented in the Japigia-Sant’Anna District, located in the southern area of the city of Bari, Italy. The area is marked by a strong contrast between different social conditions: alongside families living in, there is a high incidence of economic hardship, unemployment, inadequate education, domestic violence, and students dropping out of school. The area is also affected by petty crime and the presence of organized crime, as confirmed by recent institutional reports. In this context, the difficulties faced by minors are particularly evident, and are further exacerbated by the absence or weakness of parental support and by the limited availability of accessible educational services.
The San Francesco d’Assisi Third Sector Organization (ETS) has been operating in the area for over ten years with the aim of supporting minors in difficulty and combating various forms of educational poverty, in collaboration with parishes, public institutions, and other third sector organizations. However, the current socio-educational offerings are insufficient to meet emerging needs. The project therefore aims to strengthen the existing educational community through the creation of a new educational-creative center, That can offer academic support, as well as educational, creative, and sports activities. At the same time, it would promote social inclusion and a sense of belonging to the local area.
Particular attention will be given to strengthening the connection between the Japigia neighborhood and the nearby Sant’Anna neighborhood, where there is a significant presence of young families and minors, often living in precarious circumstances with limited access to community services. The initiative also aims to overcome divisions between private and public housing, fostering social cohesion and active participation. The project is expected to have a positive impact, not only on the minors directly involved, but also on their families and the wider community. There is the prospect that, over time, this initiative will develop into a model that can be replicated in other urban settings.
Project Information
- Conventual Franciscan Jurisdiction: The Italian Province of St. Joseph of Cupertino (Abruzzo-Molise-Puglia)
- Country: Italy
- Location: Bari (Japigia-Sant’Anna District)
- Type of Project: Educational and social project
- Date of Proposal: October of 2025
- Direct Project Coordinator:
- Friar Gianluca CATAPANO
- Email: gianlucatapano@libero.it
- Total Project Cost: €54,760.00
- Local Contributions (from the local community)
- €5,476.00
- Contribution requested:
- €49,284.00
- Funding Status: Project funded entirely by the “With the Heart, in the Name of Francis” initiative, promoted in Assisi (€49,284.00)
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