Sondalo August 27, 2025 - The first edition of the project “On the Road” officially began in Sondalo on August 25 and will continue until August 31. The initiative, promoted by the “Ragazzi On the Road” Association with the support of the Municipal Administration and the Local Police Command, involves eight boys and girls aged 16 to 20 in a hands-on experience alongside Law Enforcement and emergency service operators, offering a unique opportunity for training and active citizenship.

At the launch to welcome the young participants were Mayor Ilaria Peraldini, Councillor Luca Della Valle, and the Commander of the Local Police, Emanuele De Piazza.

Even before the official kickoff meeting, the first five participants had the opportunity to assist the Local Police in an initial operational shift, which they enthusiastically recounted, describing it as a true first step towards a change in consideration and relationship with institutions. The remaining three young people, on the other hand, expressed their readiness to experience their first night of On the Road patrols, always alongside the Local Police.

“We are proud to host the first edition of On the Road in Sondalo, a project that puts young people at the center and makes them active protagonists in a civic education and responsibility path. We deeply believe in experiences like this, which strengthen the bond with institutions and contribute to forming aware citizens who are attentive to the community. A sincere thank you goes to the Ragazzi On the Road Association, which, together with us, has promoted this week, to the Local Police for their technical support, and to all the Entities and associations that provided time and resources to offer the young people a complete and meaningful experience.” declared the Mayor of Sondalo, Ilaria Peraldini.

For the Ragazzi On the Road Association, Cristina Salemi, responsible for General Affairs, brought greetings from president Egidio Provenzi and vice president Alessandro Invernici, founder of the project. Also alongside her was Riccardo Bonzi, the delegate and project manager on the territory. “We are pleased to kick off the first edition of On the Road here in Sondalo, a project that has immediately garnered wide participation from both the young people and the law enforcement, first responders, and healthcare operators. It is an important signal of the common will to invest in young people and their future. A heartfelt thank you goes to the Municipal Administration and the Local Police Command, who believed in this experience from the very beginning.”

The project sees the collaboration of a valuable institutional network: Local Police of Sondalo, the Carabinieri station in Sondalo, Sondalo Forestry Carabinieri, Firefighters from the Grosio and Grosotto detachments, Red Cross of Sondrio, Hospital of Sondalo (with the Emergency Department and the collaboration of AREU), the Financial Police of the Bormio Command, and the Alpine Rescue of the Financial Police.

A national project that expands its boundaries

With 18 years of history, “On the Road” has grown to become an educational model recognized at the national level. This year, in its eighteenth anniversary, the initiative reaches a significant milestone: it takes place simultaneously in three different Italian Regions. In addition to Sondalo in Lombardy, the project is also active in Jesolo (Veneto) and Rimini (Emilia-Romagna) as part of the Meeting, with the overall involvement of over 70 young people who, for a week, share operational shifts with institutions, law enforcement, local police, first responders, and healthcare operators.

Training, prevention, and active citizenship

“On the Road” is much more than just an experience: it is an educational journey that helps young people understand the importance of rules, overcome distrust and prejudices, and recognize the fundamental role of institutions and emergency services. By living side by side with those who work daily for the safety and protection of citizens, the young people learn responsibility, spirit of collaboration, and the value of prevention.

On the Road Association and the Administration of Sondalo