FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Italy
Address
Via G. De Menabuoi 25/27Country
City
PadovaProvince
PadovaMobile Phone
+393403356744Telephone
+39 049 9875818E-Mail (2)
gloria.manzonato@geacoop.orgWebsite
Click HereYear of Establishment
2004Contact Person1
Gloria ManzonatoJob Title 1
Project manager and board memberContact Person 2
Alice BruniJob Title 2
Project manager and vice-presidentOrganisation Type
OtherFields of Activity
Democracy and community development, Human rights, International/Cultural relations, Youth and educationGeneral Information
GEA is a non-profit social cooperative established in 2004 in Padova, specializing in sustainability, community well-being, and active citizenship. With extensive experience as a coordinator for European projects, GEA excels in designing and implementing initiatives focused on social resilience and environmental sustainability. The organisation prioritizes vulnerable groups, including women and youth, through services such as project management, community engagement, and sustainability workshops. GEA has built strong partnerships with public and private entities in areas like health, education, environmental awareness, and social cohesion. In this project, GEA will oversee coordination and operations, ensuring alignment with sustainability goals. Key responsibilities include organizing meetings, training the Steering Committee, monitoring project progress, and disseminating results to maximize impact across Europe. GEA is actively involved in regional, national, and international networks, including "Idee in Rete," ENSA, and ALDA Europe, reflecting its dedication to fostering collaboration and driving meaningful change in diverse contexts.
Mission and Objectives
Mission and Objectives of GEA
GEA’s mission is to actively contribute to the participatory construction of an inclusive and multicultural society through the planning and implementation of social, educational and social-health interventions at local, national and European levels. Since 2008, GEA has been committed to promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship, placing individuals — particularly those in vulnerable situations — at the heart of its work.
Criteria and Methodology
GEA adopts a set of clear methodological principles: networking, co-design, empowerment, and a beneficiary-centered approach. Its tools and languages of intervention are diversified and integrated, ranging from capacity-building and action-research, to non-formal education and the use of artistic, theatrical and sport-based practices as vehicles for social inclusion and engagement.
How We Work
GEA develops and manages projects funded by national and European public programmes — including FAMI (Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund), local authorities, foundations, and EU programmes such as Erasmus+, Europe for Citizens, and Justice.
Its operational model includes:
Direct planning and management of national and international projects
Consulting and advisory support for public institutions and third-sector organisations
Multi-level, multi-professional networking
Promotion of local participation and territorial development
GEA’s professionals work with a wide range of tools and methodologies to deliver complex interventions, including social and intercultural mediation, management of reception services, empowerment of target groups, and diversification of methods and languages of intervention (e.g. sports, art, culture).
Impact and Network
GEA has taken part in over 50 European projects and collaborated with public institutions, private organisations, and transnational networks from over 18 EU countries. Over the years, this has contributed to the creation of a robust and structured network of partnerships at local and international levels.
The cooperative is also an active member of several national and European federations, consortia and associations, which support the cultural and strategic development of its actions and contribute to the broader dissemination of good practices.
Main Projects / Activities
GEA primarily operates in the following areas:
-Educational, school and socio-health services
-Youth policies and active citizenship
-Programmes tackling educational poverty and discrimination
-Restorative justice and support for people under the justice system
-Reception and support for applicants for international protection
-Inclusion pathways for vulnerable individuals and communities
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
GEA can actively contribute to the Network in Italy through its extensive experience in multi-level project planning, strong local and international partnerships, and deep-rooted presence in the fields of social inclusion, education, and community development.
Specifically, GEA can offer:
Local Implementation Capacity: With a solid track record of managing projects funded by national and EU programmes (e.g. FAMI, Erasmus+, Justice), GEA can act as a reliable partner for the implementation of network activities across Italian territories, especially in areas involving vulnerable groups.
Expertise in Participatory Methodologies: GEA applies co-design, empowerment and community-based approaches in its work. These methods can strengthen the Network's initiatives by ensuring they are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and beneficiary-centred.
Dissemination and Visibility: GEA can support the dissemination of the Network's results through its communication channels and events, reaching a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, public institutions, and grassroots groups.
Training and Capacity-Building: Through its experience in capacity-building and non-formal education, GEA can contribute to upskilling professionals and organisations within the Network, particularly on topics such as intercultural mediation, inclusive practices, and restorative justice.
Policy Dialogue and Advocacy: As a member of national and European federations, GEA can bring grassroots perspectives into institutional dialogue and contribute to advocacy efforts that promote inclusive policies at the local and national level.
Hosting and Mobilising Stakeholders: GEA can facilitate the involvement of local actors — municipalities, schools, NGOs, cultural associations — in Network activities, helping to scale up good practices and foster cross-sector collaboration.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
GEA is committed to expanding its international partnerships and engaging with key organisations that share its values and areas of work. Joining the Anna Lindh Foundation Network represents a strategic opportunity to build meaningful connections with like-minded actors across the Euro-Mediterranean region, fostering dialogue, cooperation, and shared learning.
Our goal is to:
Create more opportunities for growth and professional development for both our organisation and the communities we serve;
Collaborate on initiatives that promote inclusion, intercultural dialogue, education, and active citizenship;
Exchange ideas, tools, and practices that can enrich our ongoing projects and inspire new approaches;
Be part of a vibrant, transnational platform where knowledge, innovation and social impact can be multiplied through cooperation.