Con il senno di poi

For over 12 years, the Don Bosco 2000 Association – Social Enterprise has focused its mission on welcoming and integrating migrants, as well as fostering local development in Sicily and the territories from which migrants originate. Through a model of “circular cooperation,” Don Bosco 2000 promotes employment reintegration for migrants. Everything started in 2016, when a migrant from Senegal, who had completed integration and vocational training provided by Don Bosco 2000, asked to apply what he had learned in Italy back in his homeland. This led to agricultural and poultry farming projects in Tambacounda, Senegal. In particular, three poultry farms were established in rural villages around Tambacounda, contributing significantly to local youth employment with formal employment contracts. Additionally, “Cultural Corridors” have been established, offering a safe and legal alternative to the dangerous journeys many migrants undertake.

Alongside its circular cooperation projects, Don Bosco 2000 manages 13 migrant communities in Sicily, providing guidance and support for migrants in legal and social assistance, employment, and housing placement; cohousing and social agriculture initiatives on assets confiscated from the mafia, such as in Villarosa; and supporting start-up enterprises, like Israel’s barbershop. Young, unemployed, and vulnerable individuals—both Italians and foreigners—are often involved in managing these entrepreneurial activities. The structures hosting these initiatives hold significant symbolic value and are notable examples of social reuse. This is true, for instance, of Beteyà Hostel in Catania, a former summer camp and beach facility now transformed into a Salesian youth gathering place, managed by Aly, who arrived in Italy nearly ten years ago.