As part of the European Diversity Month, Italy highlighted the role of young people in building a more inclusive and sustainable future by promoting entrepreneurship, STEM education, and the overcoming of gender stereotypes through two major initiatives led by Fondazione Sodalitas.
On May 21 in Milan, the final event of the 13th edition of Deploy Your Talents took place. The programme, created by CSR Europe and implemented in Italy by Fondazione Sodalitas, aims to encourage young people to pursue STEM studies and careers beyond gender stereotypes.
This year, 16 companies and 11 secondary schools worked together to engage more than 400 students aged 16–19 through training, mentoring, and project work. The initiative helped students better understand the value of technical and scientific education and its importance for future employability, while addressing the persistent gender gap in STEM professions in Italy.
During the final event, students presented videos showcasing what they had learned through their collaboration with companies. The best projects were awarded school vouchers to support further educational activities.
My Enterprise, My Future
The fifth edition of My Enterprise, My Future (La mia impresa, il mio futuro) concluded with a final event in Varese, celebrating the most innovative and sustainable business ideas developed by students.
The 2025–2026 edition involved around 3,000 students from 28 secondary schools and, for the first time, 4 Higher Technical Institutes (ITS) across Northern Italy. Through more than 100 seminars and project-based learning activities, participants developed over 500 sustainable and innovative start-up projects.
Guided by volunteer managers and business professionals, students worked in teams to create entrepreneurial solutions addressing key challenges such as environmental sustainability, social inclusion, technological innovation, responsible fashion, local development, and wellbeing. The initiative promotes entrepreneurial and sustainability skills that are increasingly important for the future labour market.
The 25 winning projects were recognised during the closing ceremony attended by representatives from institutions, partner companies, and the education sector.
