DUST - Distopie – Utopie – Spazi in Transizione

DUST addresses the critical issue of young people at risk of social marginalisation, who have lost the willingness to aspire and envision a better future. Inspired by anthropologist Arjun Appadurai’s studies on aspiration, utopia, and dystopia, the project aims to revive this fundamental cultural competence. Despite the availability of numerous accessible socio-cultural services in Bolzano, many vulnerable youths remain excluded due to lack of awareness or social networks. DUST seeks to bridge this gap by enabling young people to regain the ability to imagine and pursue a more hopeful future, thus empowering them to activate their own potential and improve their social condition.

The project

DUST designs and validates an innovative model of cultural consultation, mentoring, and support that connects vulnerable youth (up to 29 years old) with different types of social and cultural opportunities available at a local level. The project works both directly with participants and indirectly with cultural organisations to make these spaces more accessible and meaningful. The core methodology unfolds in three main phases: first, participants imagine a dystopian future if negative trends continue; then, they creatively reverse this vision into a utopian scenario; finally, they co-create concrete action plans to realise their aspirations. Activities include individual consultations, group workshops, artistic training, and ongoing mentoring within community organisations. The project involves multi-stakeholder partnerships and integrates continuous monitoring to keep track of progress, learning curves and positive feedback loops to refine the approach through an iterative process.

DUST is a project of the Vintola Youth Center in partnership with Irecoop Alto Adige Südtirol, the Bruno Kessler Foundation, Arciragazzi Bolzano, and in collaboration with colleagues from the cultural transformation agency Che Fare!