From guidance to empowerment
At its core, InformaGiovani acts as a bridge. By mapping the realities of the local territory and amplifying the initiatives of others, the centre simplifies information and connects young people to opportunities. Whether a teenager seeking school orientation, a graduate exploring higher education, or a NEET looking for a second chance, the centre provides guidance tailored to individual needs.
The services offered are broad and accessible: free-use spaces, information desks, CV support, orientation for international mobility, and targeted desks for inactive youth. Initiatives like the Youth Social Secretariat and the Desk for NEETs ensure that even the most fragile groups have a welcoming and supportive entry point into Arezzo’s social and economic life.
Fostering inclusion in the digital economy
For InformaGiovani, inclusion is not an add-on but a guiding principle. “By mission and philosophy, we are a space and a service that is free and open to everyone, without any kind of prejudice,” explains Luca Tanganelli from the Municipality of Arezzo. This openness is vital when dealing with disadvantaged users who face barriers to education or employment. Counselors often need to adjust expectations and proactively liaise with hosting organisations to secure environments where vulnerable young people can thrive.
This hands-on, empathetic approach ensures that diversity becomes a strength in Arezzo’s local digital ecosystem, contributing to a more resilient and innovative local economy.
Connecting young innovators with industries
Beyond guidance, InformaGiovani leverages a wide network of local contacts built over decades of collaboration. Through its business orientation desk and projects such as StartHUB Impresa Giovani Arezzo, the centre supports young entrepreneurs with workshops, mentoring, and even hackathons. These initiatives not only nurture entrepreneurial skills but also strengthen ties between youth and local industries, ensuring that innovation directly contributes to the city’s development.
Challenges and lessons learned
Inclusion is never without challenges. Counselors encounter daily the difficulties faced by underrepresented groups — from lack of confidence to systemic barriers in the labour market. Addressing these requires flexibility, careful listening, and sometimes direct negotiation with institutions or companies to adapt opportunities to individual capacities.
The lesson? Inclusion cannot rely on one institution alone. It depends on a network of public services that cooperate closely, share information, and ensure consistency. As InformaGiovani highlights, services often exist already — but communication and coordination are what make them effective.
Advice for other cities
For cities looking to replicate this model, the message from Arezzo is clear:
Start from the ground up, listening closely to the needs of young people.
Build an integrated system of public services that cooperate and communicate.
Stay adaptable — flexibility is key to responding to evolving youth priorities.
As a Case Example of TechDiversity network, InformaGiovani demonstrates how a municipal youth service can evolve into a local gateway to inclusive innovation. By combining guidance, entrepreneurship support, and a philosophy of openness, it ensures that no young person is left behind in the digital transition — and that diversity remains at the heart of local development.
