The Apen’Down – Irriverenti Sociali project has returned to Fieracavalli with a new and significant challenge: twenty young people with disabilities are managing two bar stations inside the fairground. Following the success of last year’s edition, this social cooperative has once again confirmed itself as a key player in promoting workplace inclusion, providing these young individuals with the chance to acquire real skills in a dynamic and engaging environment.
We interviewed Francesca Lazzarin, psychologist, psychotherapist, and head of the Apen’Down project.
“Apen’Down aims to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating a work environment that fosters the development of concrete professional skills. The cooperative doesn’t just offer support; it strives to prepare these young people to handle genuine job roles. During Fieracavalli, our team served coffee, drinks, cocktails, and food to visitors and guests, managed the space, and handled customer service. It’s a challenging job requiring organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management.
This project focuses on the emotional and relational growth of its members, helping them better understand themselves and how to communicate with others. It builds their awareness of their ability to work both independently and as part of a team, even under stress. Inclusion is not about treating people with disabilities as cases to solve, but rather recognizing their abilities and talents and helping them shine.
Each individual is supported based on their unique strengths and talents, aiming to foster growth in an environment that makes no distinctions but instead promotes equal opportunities for development. Our presence at Fieracavalli is an opportunity to raise public awareness about the importance of genuine inclusion—an approach that goes beyond pity and is based on recognizing each person’s unique capabilities.”
