The Europe Challenge

The Local Challenge 

Migrants arriving in Perugia, especially in the Fontivegge district, often struggle to access clear information about services, rights, and support systems. Complex bureaucratic processes, language barriers, and limited cultural mediation leave many vulnerable to misinformation, isolation, and exploitation. For those newly arrived or in precarious situations, the risk of trafficking or informal labour networks is particularly high. At the same time, the neighbourhood suffers from social fragmentation and mistrust between groups, making it harder for residents (long-term and new) to connect and build shared understanding.

The Initiative

The initiative uses comics to bridge these divides and make vital information more accessible. Through participatory workshops at the library, migrants collaborate with social workers, cultural mediators, and anti-trafficking organizations to co-create two illustrated guides: one that explains how to navigate essential local services, and another that raises awareness about human trafficking and the rights and protections available. The process itself is as important as the outcome: migrants shape the content and storytelling, ensuring that the materials reflect real experiences and perspectives. Because comics combine images with minimal text, they transcend literacy and language barriers, making them an inclusive tool for education and empowerment. Once completed, the comics are distributed in print and online, shared through reception centres, municipal offices, and community organizations, and presented in public events across the city.

What’s Next?

Beyond producing accessible guides, the project aims to encourage dialogue, recognition, and trust within Fontivegge. By involving migrants and local stakeholders in co-creation, it creates new opportunities for interaction and reshapes the library into a civic hub where communities meet on equal footing. The comics will continue to circulate in everyday community spaces, keeping key information visible and usable while challenging stereotypes with stories rooted in lived experience. Over time, the project strengthens the role of the library as a space of access, visibility, and connection, and provides a model for other communities seeking creative ways to promote integration and resilience.

Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.