Associazione di Promozione Sociale Futuro Digitale (Italy)
Futuro Digitale (FD) established in February 2013, is a non-profit organization, founded on the ideals Project Policoro of the Italian Episcopal Conference. Operates according to the principles of Policoro Project, with the aim of creating growth opportunities in social, cultural and technological "network", inspired by the union local development - social inclusion inserted in a European context, with the understanding that the full integration of people , in particular young people, the social fabric is prerequisite for the development of the territory. FD has as its purpose the promotion of youth entrepreneurship (in fact, promotes, thanks to the protocol signed with the Point of Contact Local MateraHub Cultural and Creative Industries in Matera, the European program Erasmus for Entrepreneurs); involved in the design and delivery of services for young people, particularly young people in difficulty, with the support of technology also in order to reduce the digital fracture; dynamics of education, training, labor market and youth policies at the European level, for the start of concrete actions that create the necessary coupling between training and job opportunities. It has also been very active in sending young people to the program "Youth in Action". FD has made the partnership network the means by which to ensure the greatest number of contacts and experiences for young people participating in the activities. Signed, in just 16 months of operation, 78 Memoranda of Understanding, both nationally and internationally, with organizations, businesses, foundations, universities and public bodies. They cite, in particular, the protocol signed with the CEILING (Service Orientation and Training Requirements) of the Province of Cosenza, with the Foundation Paul of Tarsus and Eurokom - EUROPE DIRECT Calabria region. FD is also credited on many platforms such as ERIFO, Euro-Net, EILD, Aleteia, Citizens for Europe, European Centre for Civil Resources. Adheres: the Capacity Building Programme for Lifelong Learning Consortium (an International group lead by CSCS Italy) and the Europemobility Open Network Member.
The Association has been accredited by: a) The Department of Business and Law, University of Calabria, as the venue for the conduct of internship and training for students and graduates. The goal is to create moments of alternation between study and work in the educational processes and facilitate career choices through direct knowledge of the world of work; b) Fincalabra SpA-Calabria region, as Regional Operator for the management of technical investigations of requests for access to microcredit loans to start new businesses youth. c) Ministry of Labour, which has obtained the authorization and registration in the Register of Information Technology Staffing Agencies for the supply of vacancies and applications, performing the function of "Intermediary" (code L124S012728) ie mediation activities between demand and supply of labor, including in relation to the labor of disabled and disadvantaged groups of workers.
Digital Future:
-is Member of the Sub-Network "Tourism and the Mediterranean" UNIMED- (Union of the University of the Mediterranean). Objectives of the sub network are: to collect information directly from the actors in the sector, in the euro Mediterranean, and contribute to the creation of a database specifically dedicated; conduct studies, analysis and research on issues related, in particular with the development of sustainable tourism; facilitate and stimulate dialogue and mutual exchange of information, in order to create new collaborations, partnerships and develop joint projects; organize international events (workshops, seminars, conferences, performances) to help improve the flow of knowledge and exchange of experiences among researchers and scholars; activities to disseminate and promote the actions of the members of the network, through the use of email newsletters targeted, online news site, links; research resources for the realization of projects born from the networking of experiences and ideas.
-promotes the project MEDITERRANEAN DIET (UNESCO's Intangible Heritage of Humanity) Cultural Foundation Paul of Tarsus, with which the Digital Future has signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This is the first project of ethics in the world Italian food that is circulated through the Internet (and not only) Healthy Food Italian certificate that he had the support of the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano. The Cultural Foundation "Paul of Tarsus" was also identified as a frontrunner for the realization WORLD EXPO MEDITERRANEAN DIET which will take place in 2016.
Futuro Digitale Association works to promote youth empowerment through concrete possibilities of development connected to e-learning, traineeship and personalised patterns of working periods. For instance, together with the Department of Business and Law of Cosenza University, the Association has structured a formative liaison which allows students to work and learn at the same moment in order to be introduced to the job market. What is more, FD officially obtained the role as job agency by the Ministry of Labour – this is implemented through non-formal education strategies which enable youth to further reflect on employability skills and entrepreneurship.
FD hosts volunteers and trainees within the Erasmus for young Entrepreneurs programme, Erasmus traineeship and he has recently received the accreditation as sending and coordinating organization for the EVS (European Voluntary Service).
Furthermore, FD supports youth in obtaining micro-credit loans through specific coaching and tutoring services aimed at supporting all the bureaucratic passages. The tutoring is based on on-going support and relation with the micro-credit applicant.
With regards to ICT, FD works with e-learning to promote certifications for digital competences. The ICT-media team is led by the president Antonio Gallo, who is restyling the association website at the moment. Antonio Gallo is an ICT engineer and he dedicates himself to ICT education and activities to contrast digital divide. FD has already realized three websites and two platforms, organized two training courses, one for disabled children, about the use of new technologies. Finally, FD has been official partner of the event European CODE Week 2014, the European week for the promotion of coding ( (https://ec.europa.eu/epale/en/organisations/associazione-futuro-digitale), by organizing an event for students on the following topics: the platform "Scratch" that allows you to create animations, comics and games; WordPress to create websites; interaction with social network.
The staff of " Digital Future " is composed of experts in new technologies and in the field of entrepreneurship.
Antonio Rossi, junior project manager and EVS Coordinator of Futuro Digitale. Degree in Political Science and post-graduate degree in "Management and Corporate Social Responsibility". He is an expert of CSR and social inclusion of disadvantage people. He has gained long-standing experience in these fields, working with several companies, NGOs and Public Administrations in Italy, Belgium and Brasil. He is currently managing a cultural project based on the valorisation and renovation of a roman villa.
Antonio Gallo is an ICT engineer and he dedicates himself to ICT education and activities to contrast digital divide. He has expertise in high-profile professional web design and manufacture of Public WiFi Network.But beyond the purely technical aspect of his work, he has always taken particular attention to marketing and corporate communications through the creation of networks and partnerships with other companies, marketing campaigns and search for new services to be integrated. He is currently developing knowledge in the field of ICT notably for social projects, in its broad sense, or social inclusion based projects.
Dr. Vincenzo Apa has a master’s degree in economics. He gained a privileged experience in the field of local development and territorial cohesion, cultural tourism with accreditation as Agent of Local Development at the FORMEZ (Italian development agency). He trained as Manager of Local Development and Cultural Tourism and International Marketing Expert and Training Services.. Joined in the regional register teachers Calabria and Basilicata and Eupolis - accredited Superior Institute for Research, Statistics and Training. In 2012 Obtained the degree in business administration from the University of Cosenza with specialization in the field of foundations and non-profit Organizations in the international context and in the context of tourism for territorial development.
Dr. Paolo Montemurro, graduated in International and Diplomatic Sciences , with research carried out in the Netherlands at Universiteit Leiden , before collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Directorate General for Economic Co-operation and Development) and the Ministry of Economic Development projects of international and regional cooperation .
Since 2008 he is responsible for Project Planning as a consultant for public and private entities , specializing in European initiatives in the areas of : Lifelong Learning (focus undertakings), Environment ( Sustainable Development and Eco -Tourism) ; Economic Cooperation ( Migrant Banking), Entrepreneurship and Internationalisation ; ICT and R & D for companies and smart communities. Project manager MOBILITAS , Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, and is involved in entrepreneurship education for schools, young people and disadvantaged groups.
Contact Person
Project Coordinator: Vinenzo Apa