Regional authorities in Lombardy have formally partnered with the Federazione italiana judo, lotta, karate, arti marziali (Fijlkam) to introduce judo into regional classrooms, aiming to reinforce student self-control, personal awareness, and anti-bullying initiatives through structured physical education. According to reports published by Italpress, the regional government signed an official agreement with the Federazione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate Arti Marziali (FIJLKAM) to launch the “Judo e scuole, regole e rispetto” initiative, backed by a regional financial allocation of 40.000 euro.
Agreement Structure and Regional Implementation
The newly minted pact pairs regional sports administration with martial arts federations to establish a systematic framework for teaching legality, emotional regulation, and peer cooperation in schools. Federica Picchi, the regional undersecretary to the presidency with delegated authority for sport and youth, highlighted the initiative during the formal signing alongside FIJLKAM Lombardia President Riccardo Zambotto, judo sector president Andrea Sozzi, and technical project coordinator Cinzia Cavazzuti. Official figures cited by regional representatives indicate that Lombardy currently hosts more than 300 martial arts organizations, accounting for numerous registered members and active technical instructors across the territory.
“With this initiative, we want to not only encourage the spread of sports practice in schools, especially in more fragile contexts, but also highlight the formative role of sport,” Picchi stated, as documented by Italpress. Regional organizers plan to roll out the curriculum during the 2026–2027 academic year, targeting lower secondary schools and the initial two years of upper secondary institutions. The program will prioritize schools situated within areas experiencing higher social vulnerability, inviting students onto traditional tatami mats to experience the discipline firsthand while distributing educational summary boards detailing core values following each session.
Methodology and Private School Pilots
Beyond the upcoming regional rollout, educational judo initiatives have already taken root in local academic settings. Instructors Renato Daprà and Cinzia Cavazzuti previously developed a complementary scholastic program titled “Judo Scuola – Rispetto & Regole,” designed to counter classroom apathy, behavioral friction, and social withdrawal. According to documentation from Kodokan Judo Bergamo, that pilot course spans 12 hours per class and engages more than 140 students at the Little England private school in Brescia, utilizing the facilities of the Forza & Costanza sports center.
The curriculum emphasizes a cooperative, play-based approach centered on the safety concept of “ludere non ledere”—playing without harming others. Technical delivery has also drawn high-profile backing from Olympic and international coaching figures. Renato Daprà noted that the involvement of 1980 Moscow Olympic champion and former national team coach Ezio Gamba helped bring the physical education proposal directly to the Brescia primary institution. Methodological frameworks across both the Bergamo-area pilots and the broader regional project rely on bodily awareness and mutual respect to teach students an appropriate physical application of force.
Empowerment Weeks and Timeline Checkpoints
Regional schedules released via Italpress confirm that an open week titled “La via del judo” is scheduled to run from November 23 to November 29, 2026. This dedicated week will focus specifically on female empowerment, personal safety protocols, gender equality education, and violence prevention strategies.
As educational authorities prepare for the broader 2026–2027 scholastic implementation, local sports federations will continue coordinating with participating schools and technical staff to monitor student engagement and behavioral outcomes on the tatami.
