26/03/2026
Highlights from the Erasmus+ LESE Project’s Working Meeting in Alessandria Italy 2 – 3 March 2026.
On March 2 and 3, UISP Alessandria hosted one of the stages of the Erasmus+ LESE – Learning and Participation through Socially Engaged Theater project, an initiative that aims to promote the learning, inclusion, and social reintegration of people with criminal backgrounds through community theater.
Two intense and inspiring days in Alessandria brought together all partners for the second phase of the LESE project.
📍 2nd of March 2026
The working meeting in Alessandria began at the Fuga di Sapori bistro inside the Cantiello e Gaeta prison followed by a welcome breakfast and the introduction of the international delegations.
Presentation of the Italian internship program and the drama therapy experience in the local Alessandria's prisons, led by drama therapist Fabio Martinello and representatives of partner associations.
The day concluded with a dinner prepared by the Idee in Fuga cooperative, a social enterprise that operates inside the Cantiello e Gaeta prison and offers people in detention the opportunity to develop professional skills through culinary training and work experience. Their dishes added a meaningful touch to the evening, reflecting the cooperative’s commitment to inclusion and reintegration.
📍 3rd of March 2026
Participants visited the Borsalino Museum, discovering one of Alessandria’s cultural landmarks.
At Ristorazione Sociale, the meeting shifted into its most productive and forward‑looking phase where partners engaged in an in‑depth collaborative discussion dedicated to shaping the project’s next steps — with a strong emphasis on the creation of the manual on the application of community theater models. Drawing on the experiences gathered in Helsinki and Alessandria, the group worked collectively to outline the structure, key themes, and practical guidelines that will form the backbone of this publication. Once completed, the manual will serve as a shared resource for professionals, stakeholders, policymakers, and the wider public, ensuring that the methodologies developed throughout the project can be adopted, adapted, and sustained across different contexts.
🎤 Throughout the two days, interviews were recorded with project representatives, including Kimmo Kumlander, Maurizio Arduino, Fabio Martinello, and Lucia Veleva, offering insights into each country’s contribution and the next steps ahead.
Courage Foundation Porttiteatteri Valo-Valmennusyhdistys Uisp Regionale Piemonte
