Sacrifice Zones is a multi-platform editorial initiative designed to bridge the information gap in Italy’s most environmentally compromised territories—areas marked by severe health and ecological crises and a chronic lack of accessible information. Its purpose is to provide citizens, particularly younger generations, with clear and inclusive tools to understand environmental risks and to become aware of the rights they can exercise.
With the support of this grant, the project will produce original and accessible content across multiple platforms: a documentary-style web series on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, translating complex environmental and health data into engaging visual narratives; a series of in-depth articles based on public data, FOIA requests, and investigative reporting; a pilot podcast featuring conversations with experts on the links between pollution and health; and civic journalism webinars for students and residents, combining training, mentoring, and co-creation of content.
All materials will be hosted in a dedicated section of the Cittadini Reattivi website, disseminated through newsletters and social media, and amplified via an interactive campaign designed to foster participation and dialogue.
The project actively promotes inclusion and intergenerational engagement by involving local communities, marginalised groups, and young people in the co-production of content. By connecting editorial work with civic participation, Sacrifice Zones empowers citizens to access trustworthy information, raise their voices, and contribute to shaping public debate.
Beyond producing journalism, the initiative aims to create a replicable model of independent, accessible, and participatory reporting. By combining storytelling with community involvement, it strengthens pluralism, supports editorial independence, and builds lasting connections with local communities—paving the way for long-term social impact in Italy’s most vulnerable areas.
Cittadini Reattivi ETS is a non-profit civic journalism organisation founded in 2013 and based in Milan. Led by women, the organisation has nine active members and a Board of Directors with expertise in environmental journalism, civic communication, and socio-environmental research. The Board oversees projects, partnerships, and funding strategies.
Its mission is to promote transparency, environmental and social justice, and the right to know—particularly in Italy’s most polluted and underserved areas. The organisation produces investigative journalism, documentaries, and participatory content in collaboration with local communities, runs advocacy campaigns, and delivers training for journalists, schools, and universities. Content is published primarily in Italian, with selected material in English, targeting citizens, activists, and students, especially in Italy’s so-called “sacrifice zones”—territories characterised by limited independent information.
Goals (Expected) of the Project
Sacrifice Zones aims to improve access to information, civic engagement, and social cohesion in Italy’s most vulnerable areas. The project seeks to make complex environmental and health data understandable and actionable, empowering citizens—especially young people—to participate actively in public life and protect their rights.
A key objective is to strengthen media pluralism by amplifying local voices often ignored by national outlets and by producing content that reflects both territorial and generational diversity. Through a human rights-based approach, the project equips communities with the knowledge and tools needed to understand environmental risks, exercise their rights, and advocate effectively.
The project also promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by involving marginalised communities, young people, and underrepresented groups in the creation and dissemination of content. Co-production ensures not only accessibility but also participation, representation, and social inclusion—giving voice to those typically excluded from public discourse.
Sacrifice Zones strengthens networks among citizens, local associations, and activists, creating spaces for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and the exchange of best practices. Impact will be measured both quantitatively—through reach, engagement, and webinar participation—and qualitatively—via feedback, co-created content, and surveys that help assess the project’s contribution to a more pluralistic, equitable, and participatory media ecosystem.
The project also aims to establish a replicable and sustainable model of civic journalism that translates complex issues into engaging, inclusive storytelling. By bridging information gaps, fostering collective action, and enhancing transparency, it supports community resilience in “sacrifice zones” and reinforces local democracy.
Overall, Sacrifice Zones demonstrates a clear commitment to media pluralism, human rights, and inclusive, participatory journalism. It provides communities with the tools to understand risks, claim rights, and act collectively. The initiative lays the foundation for long-term social impact, empowering citizens and offering a model of accessible, responsible journalism that can be replicated in other underserved areas.
