by InTrieste
In a city where history and modernity intertwine, a small but significant initiative is making a difference in the lives of young children and their families. On Thursday morning, local authorities and community leaders gathered to inaugurate the new home of Villaggio per Crescere in the San Giacomo district. The relocation marks a step forward in the initiative’s mission to provide a welcoming space for families with children ages 0 to 6.
The new facility, now located at Via Castaldi 4/B, offers an easily accessible, barrier-free environment where children and caregivers can participate in activities designed to foster learning, creativity, and social bonds. Free of charge and open exclusively for the program’s use, the center is already operational on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, and on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.
“This is more than just a play space—it’s a community,” said one of the coordinators at the inauguration ceremony. “Here, parents and caregivers can find support, and children can engage in meaningful activities that promote early development.”
A national initiative that originated in Trieste in 2018, Villaggi per Crescere has since expanded to 15 cities across Italy, with 19 active centers. The program is led by CSB ONLUS – Centro per la Salute delle Bambine e dei Bambini and receives financial backing from the Generali Foundation’s The Human Safety Net, alongside support from the social enterprise Con I Bambini and various local governments.
Scientific research underscores the importance of early childhood development, particularly within the first 1,000 days of life. Studies suggest that investments in early education and parental support yield long-term economic and social benefits. The Villaggio model encourages simple yet impactful activities—reading together, gardening, drawing, playing music—creating experiences that can be replicated at home to strengthen the parent-child bond.
Trieste’s commitment to early childhood education extends beyond San Giacomo. A second Villaggio operates in Valmaura at the L’Acquarello nursery, running biweekly sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:15 to 6:15 PM in partnership with the Municipality of Trieste.
As the morning’s formalities concluded, the Villaggio prepared to welcome families for an open house event in the afternoon from 3:30 to 6:30 PM. Parents and children explored the space, participated in shared readings, and engaged in hands-on artistic activities—a fitting start for a project that places community and connection at its core.
For families in Trieste, this new home for Villaggio per Crescere is more than just a center; it is a place of belonging, support, and growth.
Interviews: Regional councilor for education, Alessia Rosolen; Regional Councilor Giulia Massolino of Patto per l’Autonomia-Civica FVG; The president of CSB – Centro per la Salute delle Bambine e dei Bambini, pediatrician Giorgio Tamburlini.
