SSAW in Naples for the Final PartecipAzione Workshop 2025
On October 4–5, the vibrant city of Naples hosted the third and final workshop of the seventh edition of PartecipAzione, held at Spazio Comune, a multifunctional center reclaimed from organized crime and now dedicated to social support. This space, managed in collaboration with UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency, provides a welcoming environment for refugees and asylum seekers through active listening, guidance, and community empowerment initiatives.
Once again, refugee-led associations took center stage. A total of 16 associations gathered for the occasion – including this year’s grantees, past participants, and new grassroots organizations from Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, Calabria, Campania, and Sicily.
Starting from reflections on both the positive and challenging aspects of past project experiences, the group engaged in hands-on exercises focused on collective learning, sharing, and cross-contamination of practices. Through constant dialogue, participants identified common ground and began to develop a shared methodological vision for community action.
Tools like the Empathy Map helped participants understand not only their own roles within their organizations, but also those of their fellow volunteers and the people they serve. Building this kind of awareness is essential for designing targeted, effective, and impactful projects.
The workshop was not only a valuable training opportunity but also a moment to strengthen the national network of refugee-led associations through the exchange of tools, strategies, and experiences. For example, ASDA – Associazione Studenti e Diaspora Africana, guided participants on an inspiring walk through the Mercato neighborhood of Naples, visiting key cultural and historical sites such as the Basilica Santuario di Maria Santissima del Carmine Maggiore and Mensa del Carmine.
SSAW’s Contribution and Recognition
The Support Survivors of African War (SSAW) team was proud to participate in this final workshop as one of the official winners of the PartecipAzione 2024 edition, selected for its impactful project titled:
This project focuses on empowering refugees and migrants through free access to language education (Italian and English) and digital skills training, enabling them to navigate everyday life, employment opportunities, and community participation more effectively.
Represented by Khalid Abaker, SSAW contributed actively to the sessions in Naples, sharing its grassroots experience in community organizing and intercultural support. The workshop offered an excellent opportunity to refine project strategies, exchange practices with other refugee-led associations, and build new connections across Italy.
What We Took Home
Thanks to the guidance of Luigi Malcangi, the workshop equipped participants with practical methods for:
Designing community-based projects with measurable impact
Understanding internal and external factors that affect outcomes
Applying multidisciplinary thinking in everyday operations
PartecipAzione continues to be a powerful space of growth, empowerment, and collaboration. SSAW looks forward to building on these learnings, forging new alliances, and continuing to support communities through dignity-driven humanitarian work.
