The colours of inclusion paint Reggio Emilia: a journey through the STAR 2.0 Italian pilot
Between April and July 2026, the city of Reggio Emilia brought the objectives of the STAR 2.0 project to life through a series of participatory activities that empowered young people, youth workers and local artists to transform public spaces through street art. The pilot demonstrated how urban art can become a powerful educational tool, fostering social inclusion, active citizenship and a stronger sense of belonging among young people.As in all the European cities participating in STAR 2.0, the Reggio Emilia pilot focused on equipping youth workers with new approaches to engage young people through artistic expression. Working alongside local organisations, artists and educators, participants were involved in every stage of the creative process, from developing ideas to designing and painting artworks that now enrich several neighbourhoods across the city.
The pilot actions involved youth workers and young people from Spazio Raga, SD Factory – Laboratorio Creativo, Set Out, Fly Zone and Giro del Cielo, creating opportunities for collaboration across different communities.
One of the first activities was a writing workshop organised by youth worker Benedetta Incerti and led by Alessandro Pagliani, who combines his experience as both a youth worker and a street artist. Open to young people aged 14 to 25, the workshop introduced participants to graffiti and writing techniques while encouraging them to explore street art as a creative language and a tool for self-expression. Throughout the sessions, participants developed both practical artistic skills and a stronger understanding of how urban art can contribute to community life.
The pilot then moved from learning to practice with the Energy Flow event, organised at the city’s skate park. Together with the artists from Interno 11, the young people of the Santa Croce Gang, supported by the youth workers Benedetta Vannini and Marianna Bertolini from the Fly Zone and Set Out projects, transformed one of the skate park walls into a collective artwork. The initiative combined creativity, collaboration and youth participation, turning a familiar public space into a colorful expression of the neighbourhood’s identity.
In June, the Street Art for the Future celebration took place at Gli Orti – Casa di Quartiere. As part of the event, a jam session was organised at the city’s baseball field, where a group of 20 artists, inspired by the Reggio Rays Baseball team, created a mural on the field’s perimeter wall. The intervention transformed the space into a welcoming landmark for the local community.
Another important intervention focused on the basketball court in Via Turri 49, where artist Francesca Cassani (Nine in the Paint) worked alongside the youth worker Nicolò Manini from Spazio Raga and of the surrounding neighbourhood to redesign the playground through a participatory process. Together, they reflected on how urban art could improve the space and make it more welcoming and inclusive. The result was the striking artwork “Breaking Barriers Through Sports”, featuring court markings for basketball, Baskin, volleyball and football, demonstrating how public spaces can promote inclusion through both art and sport.
…and to finish this long list of amazing activities, the pilot extended to Gli Orti – Casa di Quartiere in Via Arturo Toscanini, where young participants, accompanied by Libera Reggio Emilia, Giro del Cielo (youth workers Samuele Ferretti and Alessandro Zannini) and artist Youness Nazli, developed one mural inspired by a pathway dedicated to legality, civic responsibility and community values.
Through these activities, the STAR 2.0 pilot has made Reggio Emilia not only a more colourful city, but also one enriched by strong local connections that we are confident will continue to grow and flourish in the years to come. More importantly, it has helped create spaces where young people can learn, grow, have fun and spend time together, strengthening their sense of belonging and contributing to a more inclusive and vibrant community.