Innovating communities by co-designing solutions with young people
Promoting the social and economic development of local communities is no easy task, especially when these communities are diverse and fragmented, and the target beneficiary groups are heterogeneous. Through the “Ri-generazioni AI” project, Fondazione Cariverona entrusted us at Upskill 4.0 with designing not only an active listening mechanism to give a voice to local youth, but a genuine empowerment tool through which young people become agents of change. The ambition was precisely to move beyond the traditional role of funding agencies by initiating a transformative process that fosters dialogue between institutions and the younger generations. The goal is to listen to young people’s needs and translate them into concrete solutions, transforming Artificial Intelligence from an abstract concept into a strategic lever to make local communities more inclusive, sustainable, and attractive.
The data confirms the urgent need to create new engagement models to retain talent and manage the digital transition. By 2030, it is estimated that Artificial Intelligence could automate up to 30% of global working hours, disproportionately affecting entry-level roles for recent graduates. At the same time, in Italy, 51.6% of people under 35 are unsure whether they will remain in their region in the coming years. Listening to young people and integrating AI enables businesses and institutions to create sustainable and scalable regional solutions.
5 Keywords for Rethinking Local Development
The project led to the creation of three functional prototypes, which were evaluated by a panel of experts whose feedback identified five key themes for the future of these regions. We asked them to comment on these themes based on real data and thought-provoking questions.
Institutions in Focus: “Only 34% of citizens believe that their opinions are heard by institutions” (Source: OECD, Government at a Glance 2025).
Marta Cenzi, Chief Operating Officer of Fondazione Cariverona, emphasizes that the real challenge for institutions is to become a platform for intergenerational connection. We must build an ongoing dialogue, engaging in a transformative process based on “small steps toward youth leadership.”
Young People Speak: “Often, those who leave the region aren’t just looking for opportunities; they’re fleeing a stagnant system” (Source: Ricerca Futuro Qui!, 2024).
Emanuel Ingrao, founder of Shifton, highlights the need to create “listening mechanisms” based on established methodologies and meaningful physical spaces capable of instilling courage and fostering creativity. Public policies must change to be truly empathetic and attractive.
Environment: “47.9% of young people struggle to find adequate, affordable housing in their municipality” (Source: Futuro Qui! Research, 2024).
To ensure that urban regeneration is not merely real estate speculation but rather socially sustainable, Eleonora Righetto,an architect and research fellow at IUAV, points out that “new codes and values” are needed. Technology can support the restoration of abandoned buildings, placing the social value of spaces back at the center.
Community Voice: ““Community activism is dead: today, people come together only to defend their own private interests, not the common good.” (Source: ISTAT, 2025)
Annibale D’Elia, a policy maker, points out that community is founded on “exchanges and emotional energy” centered around shared challenges. To bring ideas closer to institutions, we need integrated tools and transparent processes that engage citizens without ever creating false expectations.
Tech Quote: “Giving AI to young people without a solid foundation in methodological skills is like giving a Ferrari to someone who doesn’t have a driver’s license.”
Eleonora Di Maria, Full Professor at the University of Padua and President of SMACT, suggests applying the logic of “working together.” Technology must empower, not replace, human skills: to do so, we must teach the right “idea of asking questions” and experiment in a guided and collective manner.
Planning for Change: The Benefits for Businesses and Communities
The discussion with the committee shows that approaching innovation through collective experimentation means choosing to “drive the agenda rather than be driven by it.” For businesses and public administrations, adopting this paradigm offers immediate strategic benefits: it allows them to identify the real needs of younger generations, prevents the brain drain, and transforms Artificial Intelligence into a concrete operational lever. Only by combining the potential of technology with active listening to communities can organizations ensure projects with high social impact and remain relevant in their local areas.