Process

Phase 1: Soil Analysis – Identifying and Understanding Social Causes

Now that you are ready with your tools in hand, your first major sowing of awareness will be the in-depth analysis of a specific problem in our territory.

Challenge:

1. Choose your “field to cultivate”: In small groups (of 3-4 students), select a social problem that you observe in our territory and that is particularly important to you. It could be related to:
   • The difficulty for some to find decent housing.
   • The lack of job opportunities for young people. 
   • The challenges related to pollution in a specific area. 
   • The difficulties of integration for people from other countries.
   • Other issues you have identified in our community. 
   • If you have any doubts, ask artificial intelligence (Chat GPT, Google Gemini) to help you find a problem.
2. Explore the roots: Once you have chosen your “field,” begin to dig deep to identify the social causes that fuel it. Use the following research “hoes”:
   • Online research: Explore websites of local organizations , newspaper articles, municipal and regional statistics. Look for information on:
     • The history of the problem in our territory. 
     • The groups of people most affected. 
     • The policies or decisions that may have contributed to the problem. 
     • The economic, social, and cultural factors that seem to be connected.

     You can also formulate a prompt to set a scenario and ask the AI to gather information with a particular end goal in mind. You can follow this guideline: “Imagine you are preparing a preliminary report on the root causes of [insert specific “field” or problem here, e.g., educational dropout] in the [insert territory, e.g., Venice, metropolitan area]. Your goal is to provide foundational knowledge to guide future intervention strategies.Based on publicly available online resources (e.g., local government sites, news archives, school board statistics), research and present the following:

     1. A timeline or narrative of how this problem has evolved over time in the region.
        
     2. A demographic breakdown of who is most negatively impacted by this decline.
        
     3. An analysis of any municipal or regional policies/decisions that may have inadvertently exacerbated the issue.
        
     4. An exploration of the broader economic, social, and cultural trends that contribute to this problem.
   • Direct observation (with caution and supervision): If possible and agreed upon with your teachers, make observations in your neighborhood or community. Note who is involved, where the problem manifests, and what the dynamics at play seem to be. Always remember to prioritize your safety and not interact in potentially risky situations. You can also write an email to some local association to organize a meeting with your class. 
   • Interviews (if feasible and authorized): If the opportunity arises and is approved by your teachers, you could interview people who work on this problem (e.g., social workers, volunteers, representatives of associations). Prepare targeted questions to understand their perspectives on the causes. 
3. Map the connections: As you gather information, try to identify the relationships between the different causes. How do economic, social, and political factors influence each other? Create a “root map” (it could be a diagram or a chart) to visualize these complex connections. Use an image creation tool to make your map more engaging (e.g., Canva AI ,  ChatGPT, etc.).
4. Prepare your “soil report”: Organize your findings in a short report (about 2-3 pages) that includes:
   • The description of the chosen social problem. 
   • The identification of the main social causes that determine it, supported by your research. 
   • Your “root map” illustrating the connections between the causes. 
   • A brief reflection on how these social causes affect the lives of people in our territory. 

Remember, young cultivators, that an accurate diagnosis of the causes is essential to then plant the seeds of effective solutions. Do not be discouraged if the soil seems complex and full of obstacles. Your curiosity and commitment are the most powerful tools to bring out the truth and prepare the ground for a more fertile future for all.

After analyzing the soil and understanding the roots of the problems, it is time to move on to

Phase 2: Sowing Solutions – Designing Effective Interventions.

In this phase, your role transforms from investigators to true designers of change. Based on the deep understanding of the social causes you have acquired, your task will be to devise and propose concrete solutions to address the chosen problem.

Challenge:

1. Return to your “fields”: Form different groups compared to the previous phase and revisit the social problem you analyzed.
2. Creative Brainstorming – The Seed Storm: Begin a brainstorming session to generate as many ideas as possible to address the social causes you have identified. Do not censor yourselves at this stage: even the “craziest” ideas could lead to interesting insights. Consider different scales of intervention:
   • Individual and group actions: What can we do as citizens, students, or small groups? (e.g., awareness campaigns, volunteering, small local initiatives). 
   • Community-level interventions: What actions could be taken by associations, schools, parishes, or other entities in our territory? (e.g., creation of support spaces, organization of events, educational programs). 
   • Proposals for institutions: What could the Municipality, the Region, or other institutions do to address the root causes of the problem? (e.g., new policies, allocation of resources, legislative changes). 
3. Feasibility and Impact Analysis – Evaluating the Seeds: For each proposed idea, carefully evaluate its feasibility (how achievable is it with the available resources?) and its potential impact on the social causes you have identified.

   Consider:

   • Necessary resources: Time, money, skills, people involved. 
   • Potential obstacles: Logistical difficulties, resistance to change, lack of support. 
   • Expected benefits: How could this solution address the root causes of the problem and improve people’s lives? 
   • Sustainability: Is the solution designed to have a long-term impact? 
4. Select and develop a “promising solution”: Choose one or two ideas that seem particularly promising in terms of feasibility and potential impact. Develop them in more detail, answering the following questions:
   • What is your proposed solution specifically? Describe it clearly. 
   • Which social causes does your solution directly address? Explain your reasoning. 
   • What are the concrete steps to implement your solution? Create an action plan, even if simplified. 
   • What resources would be needed? (even rough estimates). 
   • How would you evaluate the effectiveness of your solution over time? (e.g., collecting testimonies, monitoring data, surveys). 
5. Prepare your “cultivation plan”: Present your solution creatively. It could be:
   • A multimedia presentation (PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.). 
   • A short explanatory video. 
   • An informative poster. 
   • A prototype of an initiative (if possible). 
   • An oral “pitch” to convince others of the validity of your idea. 
   • An effective and direct social media campaign aimed at young people to raise awareness among your peers. 

In your “cultivation plan,” clearly explain the problem you want to address, the social causes you have identified, and how your solution aims to counteract them. Be convincing and show the potential of your “seed” to make a positive change flourish in our territory.

Remember, young designers, that even small actions, if well-targeted at the roots of the problems, can lead to big changes. Your creativity and your passion are the fundamental ingredients for cultivating a better future for our community.