New €1.2 million call for proposals launched to support nationwide projects addressing the issue among adolescents and young people
The third edition of the initiative targets younger age groups and focuses on selected Regions to boost impact, effectiveness and evaluation
Funding will be made available to third-sector bodies and organisations for active citizenship education, extracurricular activities, guidance involving teaching staff and the development of informal learning and community spaces
Support and promote projects that can counteract early school leaving in Italy by addressing its underlying causes and engaging schools operating in the relevant areas. This is the aim of the call for proposals “At School for the Future - Together to Combat Early School Leaving”, promoted by the CDP Foundation, which makes available up to 1.2 million euros to third-sector organisations, national and international NGOs, non-profit and voluntary organisations, social cooperatives and associations for social promotion. Now in its third edition, “At School for the Future” aims in fact to support and strengthen initiatives capable of combating the root causes for dropping out of school, acting in particular at critical moments of a student’s education.
“Investing in education means investing in the country’s future”, said Giovanni Gorno Tempini, Chairman of the CDP Foundation and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. “Leaving school, even when less visible, represents a serious loss of human capital and a barrier to social cohesion. With the third edition of the call, the CDP Foundation reaffirms its commitment to supporting inclusive, long-term educational pathways rooted in local communities, leveraging the role of schools and communities in creating real opportunities for younger generations.”
The 2025 edition of the call targets a younger age group, including pupils from the fourth year of primary school up to the second year of upper secondary school. The aim is to address the most critical transitions between schools, which often expose students to risk and instability.
Moreover, all projects must be organised within a single region, with the goal of focusing the initiatives and improving the collection and analysis of data to enable a more effective impact assessment. Each project must last between 24 and 36 months and may receive funding ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 euros, depending on its duration.
Applications must be submitted by 30 June 2025. Eligible proposals may cover a wide range of initiatives, including educational programmes that boost engagement and motivation among students, with particular attention to those experiencing vulnerability or at risk of dropping out, including young people facing social isolation or hardship. Extracurricular activities are also eligible, such as summer camps run in collaboration with schools and families and designed to ensure educational continuity and support students’ mental and physical well-being. The Foundation will also support initiatives promoting active citizenship, focusing on conflict resolution, gender equality, the climate crisis, inclusion and public participation, with the goal of empowering young people and involving local communities. Projects may also include guidance and training for teaching staff, as well as tailored support to help students make informed, meaningful academic and career choices based on their individual strengths and ambitions. Special attention will be given to the development of informal learning environments and gathering spaces in schools that foster social interaction and civic and cultural awareness.
Practical Information The full text of the “At School for the Future” call for proposals is available on the CDP Foundation website
Applications must be submitted via the portal, developed in collaboration with the SocialTechno srl (TechSoup Italia) social enterprise.
For technical queries and support: supporto@fondazionecdp.it