The Don Giovanni Zanandrea Foundation ONLUS, established in 1918 in Cento, a city of 36,000 inhabitants in the Emilia Romagna region, has a long-standing history of supporting the most vulnerable populations. Centrally located in the city, the Foundation is housed in a historic building with a therapeutic garden, fully renovated in 2004. Its mission has always been to address the pressing needs of fragile communities. Initially, it served as a shelter for orphans of World War I and later accommodated up to 150 children during World War II.

Since 1984, the Foundation has focused its efforts on developing educational programs for individuals with disabilities. It manages the PILACÀ Day Rehabilitation Center, which provides comprehensive health care, pedagogical, and psychological support to 25 adults with severe disabilities, supported by a team of 15 health care and educational professionals. The Center adopts non-formal educational methods to promote autonomy and social inclusion.

Additionally, the Foundation runs the CSO (Social and Occupational Center), which prepares individuals with disabilities for the workforce. This center offers job guidance and skills training, as well as direct employment opportunities in its sheltered workshop, where – as an example – young people with disabilities participate in packaging sugar boxes for local businesses.

Beyond disability services, the Foundation provides housing support for vulnerable groups, such as asylum seekers and homeless families in Cento’s district. Since 2018, it has expanded its scope to include European projects under Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. Through these initiatives, the Foundation fosters knowledge exchange and develops projects with strong local impacts.

One notable project is Cento Baskin City, inspired by the inclusive sport Baskin, which integrates players with and without disabilities. The Foundation supports a team of 40 members who participate in the Baskin Emilia Romagna Regional Competition. Similarly, projects like Differently Artists highlight the Foundation’s inclusive approach, empowering individuals with disabilities to lead art workshops for children and the broader community, redefining perceptions of disability.

The Foundation is also at the forefront of innovation with the Freed-Home project, by designing a highly technological home under the Next Generation EU program to promote independent living for people with disabilities. This initiative supports personal growth, autonomy, self-determination, and the strengthening of personal identity through experiences of socialisation and occupational engagement within the community’s living contexts.

The Don Giovanni Zanandrea Foundation remains committed to creating opportunities for education, inclusion, and empowerment, ensuring that no individual is left behind in building a more inclusive society.