Keywords: Engaged University; Socially-oriented Research; Social Impact

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Research unit: Paolo Pileri, Diana Giudici, Giuliana Cardani, Nicoletta Di Blas, Lorenzo Cardilli, Ettore Donadoni, Catherine Dezio, Anna Fera, Maria Chiara Giangregorio, Eleonora Santoro

E-mail (referent): paolo.pileri@polimi.it

Polisocial Referent: Francesca Cognetti, Rector’s Delegate for Civic engagement and social responsibility;
Emanuela Colombo, Rector’s Delegate for Cooperation and Development; Social Responsibility Projects Unit – Public Engagement & Communication Area – Politecnico di Milano

E-mail (referent): francesca.cognetti@polimi.it

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The Polisocial Award is a competition aimed at implementing scientific research projects with a high social impact, both locally and on the national and international level. The initiative intends to promote the following aims: 

– Multidisciplinary research, in order to create synergies useful for addressing complex issues that are relevant for communities located near the University and on the Italian territory, as well as for human and socioeconomic development in contexts of international cooperation; 
– Innovation, through the placement of research activities in problematic contexts, with the purpose of developing methods and knowledge of a more general applicability; 
– Dialogue with the outside world and the coproduction of knowledge, through the creation of stable partnerships with institutions, companies, civil society and international organisations, in which the role of the University is valued, as an expert interlocutor and organiser of research activities, on issues that are of direct interest to the communities. 
Recipients of the programme are projects promoted by professors, researchers and research associates from the Politecnico, who can resort to cooperation with colleagues and personnel from the University itself, as well as various external bodies that are interested in the addressed issues or in the project implementation (other research centres, companies, local administrations, NGOs, associations and other bodies operating on the ground). The overall experience falls within the category of society-oriented and responsible research, in different forms. In some cases, the initiatives take action in contexts close to us, while in others they focus on issues related to development cooperation. The range of issues addressed is broad and diverse. Starting from the 2017 edition, it was decided to adopt specific guidelines, defined annually: Urban Peripheries (2017), Smart Cities and Communities in Africa (2018), Sport and Social Inclusion (2019), Vulnerability and Innovation (2020), Equity and Recovery (2021), Local Development & Green Transition (2022).

Project description:
Trekking, Walking and cycling for Inclusion. The project focuses on the definition of a replicable, theoretical-operational methodology for regenerating disused buildings, in which the management of services for walking and sports tourism is entrusted to socially fragile people. 

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