On June 24, Councillor Productive Activities Sebastiano Costalonga presented awards to the three entrepreneurs selected by pilot project Made onlife in Venice, together with Eudcational Policy Councillor Laura Besio. The final event of the project promoted by the City of Venice with Facebook Italia and the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, was held virtually in the Ca' Farsetti Hall and streamed live on the Council’s YouTube Channel. Two of the three winners participated in the conference, while FMD Director General Mirta Michilli, some of the young protagonists and the digital project coordinators, including Nicoletta Volpetti, participated in videoconference.
Conceived to help small commercial and productive realities in Venice to kick off a digital transformation process, "Made onlife in Venice" began at the end of 2020. The project proceeded in three phases. The first consisted in the on-line publication of a series of on-demand video lessons on the use of social networks for shopkeepers (still available on YouTube) that assisted 1179 users. During the second phase, over 250 craftsmen and shopkeepers participated in interactive webinars (basic and advanced) to learn how to promote their activities on the web. Only three companies participated in the final phase, the advanced webinar: Sabrina Sanna, sports shop owner; Alberto Jimenez, Venice Carnival mask maker, and Rosalba Giorcelli, Director of an art gallery. The three winners received a 2000-euro voucher in Facebook advertising credit from Facebook Italia in agreement with the Fondazione Mondo Digitale. Even the other 23 finalists received a voucher for 450 euro, also in advertising credit from the social network.
In his address, Councillor Costalonga emphasised Venetian know-how, which thanks to this project, will be promoted on-line. “Made onlife begins in a fantastic year that marks Venice’s 1600-year history. This project has seen the council accompany the digital transformation of various productive activities, as well as schools. Each one of you represents Venice and its history through your know-how. Knowing how to narrate this with digital tools provides the message that Venice is also virtual, not just physical. Those who see our stories will see Venice as it is and what they can expect when they come to visit us. We can show our peculiarities to the entire world virtually through social networks. For this, I would like to thank Facebook Italia and the Fondazione Mondo Digitale. This is just the beginning. The council is already all set to start other initiatives [...]".
The initiative also involved a group of students from three local schools working on a PTCO programme: Liceo Scientifico Statale Ugo Morin in Mestre, Istituto Istruzione Superiore Vendramin Corner indirizzo "Cini" in Venice and Liceo Stefanini in Mestre. The young students created the digital identity of the three winning enterprises through a custom-tailored project: an editorial plan with sections for the development of digital content to introduces themselves on-line. Councillor Besio also congratulated everyone non the success of the initiative, hoping that this first innovative experiment “may be the first of many similar projects. It was a great space for interpersonal growth even thanks to the intergenerational pact [...].”
Finally, Councillor Costalonga addressed the relation between adults and youth as a lever for innovation: "I am very happy to reward this example of intergenerational pact that can be repeated with your children and grandchildren. School has provided this answer to the various productive activities that we need to love and let Venice be loved, besides appreciating it for its knowledge and know-how. This is the beginning of a marvellous story that can represent a source of income. The people who see your product and love your story and know-how will come out and look for you.”
