On Friday, 13th December, the Municipality of Savona, in collaboration with the Universities of Genoa and Siena, is hosting a conference at the Aula Magna of the Savona University Campus. The event, titled “Between Practices and Rules: Towards a Flexible Method of Neighborhood Engagement,” will take place from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
In 2022, the Administration initiated a citizen listening project, which led to the formation of spontaneous Neighborhood Committees in 2023 and 2024. Gabriella Branca, Assessor for Active Citizenship, emphasizes that the “Cantiere Quartieri has sparked the creation of various active citizenship groups.” These groups, representing diverse local realities, have proposed a variety of activities. Branca adds that there is “no more fertile ground for change than the place where we live or work.”
Currently, the aim is to strengthen these experiences through a new Regulation for the Territorial Committees that enhances their role. This topic was also discussed in the Third Council Commission. Riccardo Viaggi, the Welfare and Community Councillor, states that the Committees should “act as intermediaries between the neighborhood communities and the municipal administration,” gathering requests and proposals and encouraging participation.
The Territorial Committees are divided into seven zones, each with its own Coordinators and a Board of Directors. They will be able to organize meetings with the Mayor, Councillors, and municipal officials to discuss local issues and collaborate with the Administration on matters of general interest.
During the conference, the Administration will present the guidelines for the Regulation of the Territorial Committees. Among the speakers will be Andrea Pirni, Luca Raffini, Matteo Timo, and Pierangelo Isernia. In the afternoon, similar experiences implemented in other municipalities will be presented, with contributions from Luca Pellegrino, Libera Camici, and Giacomo Fisco.