Enrollment is now open for the 2026/2027 “Scuole Aperte Metropolitane,” a project by the Metropolitan City of Bologna providing free extracurricular activities to middle school students. Funded by the Emilia-Romagna Region via the European Social Fund Plus (FSE+ 2021-2027), the initiative is designed to keep school buildings active well beyond the final bell.
Turning Classrooms Into Community Hubs
The program transforms standard school facilities into centers for social inclusion and personal development. By offering structured environments outside the traditional classroom, the Metropolitan City of Bologna aims to give students a dedicated space to explore interests that academic curricula often overlook.
The educational scope is broad. It spans from culture and creativity—with workshops in theater, music, and the arts—to digital skills focusing on literacy and innovative design technologies. Physical well-being is also a priority, combining sports and health education with targeted initiatives to prevent cyberbullying and bullying.
Environmental and Manual Learning
Beyond the digital and artistic, the project emphasizes experiential learning. Students can engage in projects centered on manual skills and environmental exploration, moving the educational experience outdoors.
Zero-Cost Access for Secondary Students
All activities are free of charge. Eligibility is limited to students enrolled in lower secondary schools (scuole secondarie di primo grado) within the metropolitan area, with sessions scheduled to begin immediately after daily academic lessons conclude.
The framework is the result of a collaboration between school institutions, local municipalities, and regional service associations. This partnership seeks to build an inclusive environment that responds directly to the needs of the local student population.
Enrollment and Digital Catalogs
Families can access specific offerings through their respective schools. To streamline the process, the Metropolitan City of Bologna has released a centralized digital catalog for download, detailing all available courses and workshops.
For those seeking further details on schedules or enrollment procedures, the project coordination office can be reached via email at scuoleaperte@cittametropolitana.bo.it.
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