Bergamo’s CAPACITyES initiative is a child-centred urban policy designed to tackle educational poverty and broader social inequalities through an integrated, place-based approach. Combining educational and cultural programmes, community engagement, and temporary housing support for vulnerable families, the initiative focuses on creating inclusive environments for children in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. By linking social services, education, and urban regeneration, CAPACITyES strengthens social cohesion, expands opportunities for children, and supports long-term economic resilience. Through this holistic model, the city addresses immediate needs while preventing the intergenerational transmission of poverty and promoting more inclusive urban development.
Children Against Poverty Awake the CITy Education System (CAPACITyES) in Bergamo
Abstract
The CAPACITyES policy was developed in response to Bergamo’s recognition that urban poverty, particularly among children, is multidimensional and cannot be addressed through isolated interventions. Despite the city’s overall prosperity, inequalities have persisted in access to education, housing, and cultural opportunities, especially in peripheral neighbourhoods. Existing support systems lacked an integrated framework linking social welfare, education, culture, and spatial regeneration, highlighting the need for more preventive and community-based approaches.
CAPACITyES marks a strategic shift from compensatory welfare towards empowerment, prevention, and long-term social resilience. It has positioned educational poverty as both a symptom and driver of wider urban inequality, taking childhood as a key entry point for more inclusive development. The policy aimed to promote inclusive growth by expanding access to educational and cultural opportunities for children, strengthening social inclusion, supporting vulnerable families through housing and reintegration measures, and creating child-friendly urban spaces. It also established an integrated governance model to ensure coordinated and sustainable action.
CAPACITyES - Children Against Poverty Awake the CITy Education System Summary
Country: Bergamo
City: Italy
EU member state: Yes
Geographic scale: City
City size: Midsize (120 000 in the city, 310 000 in the FUA)
Date launched: 2019
Current status: On-going
Policy pillar(s): Education; Housing and the Built Environment; Public Services
Target group(s): Children, Youth, People at risk of poverty or social exclusion, Families
Funding and budget:
Total budget: EUR 6 000 000
Funding sources: Local government (Municipality of Bergamo); European Union
EU funds/programmes: Urban Innovative Action (ERDF)
The Municipality of Bergamo identified educational poverty as a key dimension of broader urban inequality, particularly affecting children in peripheral neighbourhoods. Local analysis showed that limited access to learning, cultural opportunities, and stable housing reinforced cycles of disadvantage. Existing policies were fragmented across sectors, highlighting the need for a more integrated, place-based approach linking social, educational, and spatial interventions.
The city prioritised a child-centred and preventive approach, recognising childhood as a strategic entry point for tackling long-term inequality. Rather than focusing solely on income-based support, CAPACITyES placed equal emphasis on education, community participation, housing stability, and well-being, with a strong focus on disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
CAPACITyES was designed as a cross-sectoral initiative led by the municipality in partnership with social cooperatives, foundations, and local stakeholders. Governance responsibilities were shared across departments, enabling coordination between social services, education, and urban regeneration. Key instruments included the HUBforKIDS as a central platform for educational and cultural activities, a co-housing programme for vulnerable families, and neighbourhood-based cultural and public space interventions.
Implementation combined educational programmes, housing support, and community engagement. More than 6 500 children participated in activities delivered through HUBforKIDS and related initiatives. The co-housing model provided temporary accommodation for 14 families alongside mentoring and reintegration support. Public spaces were activated through participatory processes, events, and public art, fostering local identity and social cohesion. Delivery relied heavily on partnerships with civil society and active involvement of residents and families.
At the neighbourhood level, the policy has contributed to the revitalisation of Borgo Palazzo, Boccaleone, and Celadina through participatory processes, cultural events, and public art. Outputs include 12 murals, artistic installations, interactive maps, and a documentary film, all of which have strengthened local identity and reshaped perceptions of these areas. Beyond these tangible outputs, CAPACITyES has generated important qualitative impacts, including increased civic engagement, stronger social cohesion, and enhanced trust between residents and local institutions.
Monitoring and evaluation were carried out continuously by a partner research foundation using mixed methods, combining quantitative indicators with qualitative feedback from participants. The project adapted significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting to smaller or digital formats. In later stages, successful components were integrated into mainstream municipal services, helping to ensure long-term sustainability and embed lessons in broader urban policy. This legacy remains visible in several ongoing initiatives. A new cycle of families has been welcomed into the co-housing facilities, while the Municipality is also testing other forms of holistic housing support for vulnerable groups, including older people and people with autism. The HubForKids space continues to operate as an experimental centre for piloting new educational and social initiatives across the city. Another important legacy is the participatory street art festival, MURA Festival, which Bergamo has promoted over the past two years and which has made public art a key tool for strengthening social cohesion and enhancing the city’s historical heritage.
Child-centred and participatory approaches can enhance policy impact. Engaging children and families as active contributors rather than merely beneficiaries helps build trust, strengthens community ownership, and leads to more sustainable outcomes.
Public buildings and spaces can be powerful tools for social innovation. By reusing existing assets for new educational and community purposes, cities can promote inclusion without consuming new land or resources.
Tackling urban inequality requires integrated, multi-dimensional approaches. Educational, housing, cultural, and social challenges are deeply interconnected, and policies should ideally address these simultaneously to maximise effectiveness.
CAPACITyES - Children Against Poverty Awake the CITy Education System: https://www.uia-initiative.eu/en/uia-cities/bergamo
CAPACITyES: https://www.capacityes.it/en/news-en/
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Photo credits: https://www.capacityes.it/en/news-en/
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