CHAIR is a training project for youth workers focused on developing practical, creative, and digital skills through collaborative learning experiences rooted in rural communities.

The project promotes:

• Inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities

• Sustainable and community-based practices

• Creative and digital tools for youth work

• Well-being, participation, and accessibility

Participants will explore hands-on construction workshops, digital co-design using SketchUp Free, social design activities, and creative well-being practices.

CHAIR aims to provide replicable methodologies for schools, youth centres, and associations by combining practical craftsmanship, creativity, and open-source digital tools to foster inclusion and community regeneration.

The project will also produce practical educational resources, including construction guides and facilitation tools for youth work.

​

Training Programme and Activities

The CHAIR project offers an immersive training programme based on practical, creative, and reflective activities that combine craftsmanship, digital design, and direct contact with nature.

Main Activities

• Nature walks to identify local and recycled materials, exploring their potential for reuse in educational and community settings.

• Introduction to inclusive design and SketchUp Free, enabling participants to create 3D models of objects and spaces while reflecting on their potential social impact.

• Three progressive step-by-step workshops:

  • Hands-on self-building workshops using wood and recycled materials, inspired by sustainable design models.

  • Social design workshops dedicated to the co-creation of objects and micro-spaces that foster inclusion, dialogue, and community use.

  • Reflection and feedback sessions throughout the process, contributing collectively to the development of the CHAIR Manual.

• Study visits to local youth organisations, community spaces, and sustainable initiatives such as the Benevento Social Garden, exploring recycling, natural building techniques, and inclusive practices.

• Creative activities and cooperative games to encourage creativity, well-being, and teamwork.

• Intercultural evenings dedicated to sharing the cultures, languages, and traditions of the partner countries.

• Almost daily reflection groups to exchange feedback and support personal and professional growth.

What is CHAIR?

The CHAIR project draws its main inspiration from "Autoprogettazione" (Self-Design) by the visionary Italian designer Enzo Mari. Together with other pioneers, Mari developed the concept of self-production, using the chair as both a symbolic and functional starting point. His revolutionary message was simple: everyone can build their own furniture.

With this project, we aim to bring this powerful concept into the social contexts where we work. We move beyond individual self-production towards collective co-design. Our goal is to answer a fundamental question:

How can we build socially meaningful objects together to make youth spaces more inclusive and functional?

What Activities Will Take Place?

• Design and technical sessions: learning the fundamentals of inclusive design.

• Study visits: drawing inspiration from local sustainable initiatives.

• Co-design workshops: collaborating to develop ideas and plan together.

• Practical construction: building, assembling, and decorating.

• Workshops on sustainable practices in rural areas.

When?

22 June – 1 July 2026

Where?

Fattoria La Cinta, Benevento, Italy

Partner Organisations

• Casa d'Abóbora – Youth Association (Portugal)

• ASOCIACIÓN CULTURAL Y MEDIOAMBIENTAL PERMACULTURA CANTABRIA (Spain)

• Youth for Youth (Slovakia)

• Spolek absolventů a přátel zemědělské školy v Chrudimi z.s. (Czech Republic)

• AKADIMIA ETHELONTISMOU AMKE (Greece)

• EDUFONS – Centar za celoživotno obrazovanje (Serbia)