Grassroots sports associations and their volunteer networks secured more than €200,000 in funding at the Allianz MiCo, Corriere reported, during a dedicated gathering promoted by the Fondazione Costruiamo il Futuro to spotlight the daily social and educational impact of local clubs.
Grants Target 100 Milan-Area Clubs
Organizers selected 100 small organizations from the Milan area during the tenth edition of the Premio Costruiamo il Futuro on Saturday, October 10. The selected groups received grants ranging from mille to cinquemila euro.
Sponsors supplied the capital for the initiative. The financial awards are designated to cover registration fees for families in need, purchase new equipment, renovate locker rooms, and contribute toward vehicle purchases like mini-vans for team transportation.
Celebrating Grassroots Disciplines
The event highlighted clubs operating across a wide range of disciplines, including football, volleyball, basketball, fencing, rugby, swimming, athletics, judo, and dance.
Volunteers as Community Anchors
Hundreds of volunteers took to the stage during the Allianz MiCo event to share testimony regarding their roles as educational anchors within their communities. Corriere reported that these individuals spend weekdays and weekends coaching children, washing uniforms, refereeing matches, and maintaining facilities.
Speakers emphasized that grassroots sports foster genuine social inclusion by accommodating participants with physical or intellectual disabilities and bridging cultural divides on the playing field.
Official Perspectives on Local Labor
Foundation President Maurizio Lupi and Minister Andrea Abodi both addressed the gathering, emphasizing the broader value of unpaid labor in local sports.
Abodi stated that recognizing this social commitment provides an essential resource for every community, noting a growing societal need for such presences. Without the sustained dedication of volunteers, community-level sports networks would struggle to function.
Keep reading
