“Adopt a Neighbourhood”, the initiative by We Are and Axa to foster a new culture of caring for communal spaces

“We believe that looking after public spaces is one of the most powerful ways to foster a sense of belonging and collective responsibility.” It is in this spirit that We Are – a third-sector organisation specialising in the design of initiatives with a high social impact – has coordinated and promoted “Adopt a Neighbourhood”, a project by urban regeneration and active citizenship, carried out in collaboration with AXA Cuori in Azione, the international volunteering programme of the AXA insurance group.

The initiative, which took place from 8 to 12 June, provided an opportunity to revitalise neighbourhoods and promote a new culture of caring for communal spaces. The project involved the cities of Rome and Milan and saw the participation of hundreds of volunteers, including over 500 employees of AXA Assicurazioni.

The aim was to leave a tangible mark on the local areas and raise awareness of the value of the commons. The support provided by neighbourhood committees and local organisations proved essential, as they helped to identify the areas for intervention and develop the project.

In Rome, in Municipio XI, no fewer than five murals have been created along the route linking Villa Bonelli station to Parco Tevere Magliana. The works were designed and created by the artistic collective A.DNA Project in collaboration with Worldrise and were unveiled on 12 June at Parco Tevere Magliana.

The murals symbolically depict the journey from the city to the sea, using images and colours to represent the link between the urban environment, nature and local identity. But that’s not all. The five works also form – thanks to a number of QR codes – the stages of an Urban Game that allows the public to take part in an urban treasure hunt, exploring the neighbourhood through a cultural and entertaining itinerary that showcases the area and tells its story.