Two days dedicated to social inclusion marked a key milestone for the MINDFUL project, as partners from Italy and Greece gathered in Maruggio for the third Partnership Meeting (20 July) and Steering Committee Meeting (21 July), hosted by Fondazione Vanni Longo.
During the meeting, partners reviewed the completion of the project’s first phase, focused on preparatory methodological and desk-based work. This included analysing existing social and healthcare pathways, classifying non-pharmacological interventions through a shared taxonomy, and developing an open platform to share and consult innovative models. MINDFUL is now entering its operational phase, during which partners will implement pilot activities and assess them through a common impact evaluation framework, generating comparable evidence on social impact, sustainability and transferability.
On the first day of the meeting, Fondazione Vanni Longo welcomed the partnership to Invictus Camp, a free-of-charge summer camp for children with disabilities or genetic or oncological conditions. The visit was guided by Alfredo Longo, Mayor of Maruggio and Founder of the initiative, who introduced participants to the camp’s activities. Partners explored the facilities, learned more about the recreational and autonomy-enhancing programmes, and discussed the value of non-pharmacological approaches. This year, thanks to MINDFUL, the Camp will be further strengthened through dedicated training and a tailored impact assessment framework to evaluate its contribution to children’s well-being, participation and autonomy.
On the second day, partners visited ARIF Puglia’s Vivaio “Leggiadrezze”, where ASL Taranto, the project’s Lead Beneficiary, carries out recreational therapy activities ranging from music and art therapy to creative, sensory and nature-based experiences. The visit was guided by Oliviero Capparella, Director of ASL Taranto’s Rehabilitation Department.
Together, the two visits provided concrete examples of how non-pharmacological approaches can support well-being and inclusion, while encouraging reflection on their social impact, sustainability and transferability.
The meeting marked another important step in the MINDFUL cooperation process, combining technical coordination, practical experience and cross-border knowledge exchange.
