With its frequent wildfires, particularly in regions like Sicily, Italy’s involvement in the project "Fireproof the Future" (2024-1-IT02-KA210-SCH-000250679) has been crucial in addressing fire-related risks through research, training, and youth advocacy.

Key Activities in Italy

Understanding Root Causes of Wildfires

One of the major project activities took place in Marsala, Sicily, where local, as well as participants from Latvia, Turkey and Poland, explored the underlying causes of human-caused wildfires. Led by Istituto Tecnico Statale "G. Garibaldi", the activities included:

• Workshops with Firefighters, where students and teachers analyzed fire incident data and discussed common causes of wildfires in Sicily.
• Community Surveys, in which students gathered data on fire awareness, risky behaviors, and prevention strategies in different neighborhoods.
• Storytelling and Folklore Exchange, where participants explored how fire is represented in different cultures and developed fire safety stories to promote awareness.
• Digital Campaign Development, involving students in designing social media posts and multilingual fire safety phrasebooks to reach diverse communities.

Student-Led Fire Awareness Campaigns

A core part of the project in Italy focused on empowering youth to become fire prevention advocates. Through interactive learning and creative projects, students:

• Designed Fire Prevention Slogans to be used in public awareness campaigns.
• Created Social Media Content to spread fire safety messages to their peers and local communities.
• Drafted Fire Safety Stories, which will later be published as part of the project’s educational materials.

Why This Matters for Italy

Sicily and other fire-prone regions in Italy experience devastating wildfires each year. By equipping students, teachers, and community members with the knowledge and tools to prevent fires, Fireproof the Future is taking a proactive approach to reducing fire risks. The activities in Italy have not only raised awareness but also laid the foundation for long-term fire prevention efforts through education and youth advocacy.