"Il Chicco di Grano": the social inclusion project for people with disabilities in Foligno

The collaboration between the Valter Baldaccini Foundation, the Teatro San Carlo of Foligno, and ProTe[M]us — an organization that promotes free workshops in theatre, choir, dance, and juggling open to people of all ages and backgrounds — is enriched by a new chapter dedicated to the social inclusion of people with disabilities. 

Our partnership has been active for a long time. It was from the stage of the Teatro San Carlo that we presented the volume dedicated to the first ten years of the Valter Baldaccini Foundation and created the emotional theatrical performance inspired by the fairy tale "Valter dei desideri".

Together for the boys and girls of the social project “Il Chicco di Grano” 

"Il Chicco di Grano" (The Grain of Wheat) is a social inclusion project created to promote the participation of people with disabilities through the development of participatory pathways and community relationships. Developed in the area of Social Zone No. 8 with the Municipality of Foligno as lead authority, it is promoted by the Diocese of Foligno together with Caritas, the “Dopo di Noi” Foundation, and the Arca del Mediterraneo Foundation, and involves numerous third-sector organizations, including the Valter Baldaccini Foundation. 

An artistic and inclusive theatrical experience for people with disabilities 

At the heart of the project is the person with disabilities, considered in their uniqueness and potential, through a holistic and personalized approach aimed at enhancing individual abilities and encouraging full participation in the social and cultural life of the community. 

Seventeen people with disabilities took part in the artistic workshops alongside more than 150 participants who attend ProTe[M]us activities each year. The journey concluded with the staging of the performance “Francesco – Il Cantico,” a work created through the shared efforts of all participants. 

This choice that fostered genuine relationships, collaboration, and mutual growth—a true example of social inclusion through art. The participating individuals with disabilities did not take part in an activity designed exclusively for them; instead, they were integrated into a setting open to everyone, where each participant could express their talent and contribute to a shared journey. This approach made it possible to move beyond a purely welfare-oriented mindset, fostering genuine relationships, collaboration, and mutual growth instead.

The Valter Baldaccini Foundation’s support for the “Il Chicco di Grano” social inclusion project

The Valter Baldaccini Foundation has ensured the continued participation of people with disabilities in workshops and enabled a new performance of the show “Francesco – Il Cantico”. The objectives of the “Il Chicco di Grano” social inclusion project included:

• encourage the creation of a broad, diverse, and inclusive social network;
• promote the use of different expressive languages;
• develop artistic skills in theatre, choral singing, and dance;
• support emotional growth.

A personalized approach for full inclusion 

To achieve these goals, a flexible, personalized approach was adopted, tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of each participant. Individuals with disabilities facing greater cognitive or social challenges were supported by artistic tutors from the Teatro San Carlo and specialized staff from the "Dopo di Noi" Association; they facilitated access to activities and fostered full inclusion within the group, helping to create a truly welcoming environment based on equality.

Over the months, the group demonstrated growing cohesion and greater openness to diversity. The workshop setting evolved into a space for connection that celebrated each person's potential and encouraged spontaneous, inclusive dynamics. A genuine sense of collective responsibility emerged, with every group member contributing to the well-being and participation of the others.

The performance "Francesco – Il Cantico" marked the culmination of this journey. Each participant found their own space and role, contributing to the event's success in accordance with their own inclinations, abilities, and sensibilities. The final result was not merely a theatrical performance, but tangible proof of a social inclusion experience capable of transforming differences into a shared asset.

The "Il Chicco di Grano" project confirms once again how art and expressive forms can serve as powerful tools for building relationships, promoting participation, and strengthening the sense of community and inclusion. It was a journey that yielded significant artistic, social, and emotional benefits, leaving behind a network of relationships and skills destined to endure well beyond the conclusion of the activities.