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Italy Signs €50 Million Pact With Catholic Church to Refit Parish Oratori

The agreement channels cohesion‑fund money through the diocesan network to deliver free sports and community spaces in disadvantaged urban peripheries.

Overview

  • A protocol was signed on Wednesday by Sport Minister Andrea Abodi and Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi to promote the renovation and creation of facilities in parish oratori.
  • The deal confirms a €50 million allocation from the Fondo per lo Sviluppo e la Coesione 2021‑2027 to build playgrounds, upgrade sports facilities and set up multifunctional spaces.
  • The Ministry for Sport will work with the Conferenza Episcopale Italiana and the diocesan network to use oratori as local hubs for sport, education and social activity.
  • The protocol sets goals and partners but does not yet list project calls, site selections, timelines or operational details needed to begin works.
  • Officials say the aim is to give children and young people safe, free places to play and learn in order to fight school dropout, youth marginalization and territorial fragmentation.