Fastweb+Vodafone strengthens its commitment to social responsibility and renews the partnership launched in 2023 with Save the Children, the international organization that has been working for over 100 years to protect children at risk and ensure them a better future, supporting a range of initiatives aimed at bridging the educational gap among young people.
Since 2024, the company has been supporting the Punti Luce (Points of Light), 26 high-density educational centers opened by Save the Children in disadvantaged urban areas across Italy. These centers offer children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 free educational and training opportunities, including academic support, initiatives to prevent the NEET phenomenon, STEM workshops, artistic and cultural activities, physical and mental wellbeing programs, sports, and parenting support.
The Punti Luce centers play a key role in combating educational poverty in a country like Italy, where in 2023 alone, 13.8% of minors were living in absolute poverty, 23.2% in relative poverty, and over one in four (27.1%) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
To provide new educational opportunities through the exploration of technology and innovation, Fastweb+Vodafone welcomed students from the Quarto Oggiaro Punto Luce and the Fuoriclasse Educational Center of Milan to STEP FuturAbility District, the future-focused learning hub in Piazza Olivetti, Milan. The company will also offer digital skills training delivered by teachers from the Fastweb Digital Academy to help young people engage with the opportunities of the digital world.
In addition to providing free telecommunications and connectivity services in thirteen Save the Children centers across Italy and donating smartphones to support educational activities, the company has also addressed the issue of educational poverty in the third episode of its podcast Sulla Soglia (On the Threshold), titled “Inclusive Generation, Where Are You?”. Hosted by journalist, author, and podcaster Francesco Oggiano, the podcast explores globally relevant themes such as sustainability, connection, and inclusion, offering a space for reflection on the transformations of the future. The episode features an interview with Raffaela Milano, Director of Research at Save the Children, who presents the Punti Luce program and its critical role in addressing the inequalities caused by educational poverty, beginning from early childhood. The program is developed in collaboration with local partners to expand networks with other organizations committed to defending children’s and adolescents’ rights.
The partnership between Fastweb+Vodafone and Save the Children began in 2023 with the mural “Close the Gap. Peace is our Future”, created in Via De Castillia 20, Milan. Dedicated to the theme of peace, the mural was designed to raise funds for programs supporting children in emergencies and conflict zones. A QR code on the mural’s facade allows donations to Save the Children’s emergency fund, supporting children affected by conflict worldwide.
"Every child deserves the chance to grow, learn, and dream of a better future. Education is the key to unlocking these possibilities. That’s why we are proud to continue our journey with Save the Children, which began in 2023, and to strengthen our commitment to younger generations,” said Walter Renna, CEO of Fastweb+Vodafone.
“Our partnership with Fastweb, now Fastweb+Vodafone, has allowed us to share values and goals. It has brought employees and know-how to support the children in our programs. This collaboration has mobilized people, offered expertise, delivered services, and created events. Working with such solid partners is increasingly important for Save the Children and our mission. We hope to set new goals in the future, always putting the wellbeing of children at the center,” said Giancarla Pancione, Director of Brand, Marketing and Fundraising at Save the Children.