Building Community Energy from the Ground Up in Quarticciolo

In Quarticciolo, one of Rome’s most marginalised neighbourhoods and the Italian site of our Energy4All project, a small boxing gym is quietly transforming lives. Established in 2015 by the activist collective Quarticciolo Ribelle, the gym offers more than just a place to train—it has become a safe and structured space for young people facing poverty, social exclusion, and limited opportunities. Here, boxing is not only about sport; it’s a tool to foster discipline, offer mentorship, and create a sense of belonging.

The gym is part of a broader community effort that includes key initiatives such as the after-school programme (doposcuola) and the community clinic (ambulatorio). These services reflect the collective’s commitment to a community-focused approach rooted in mutual support and political engagement. In an interview with Pietro Vicari, one of the activists behind the gym, he explains how the aim was to offer a different path and motivate kids to invest in themselves and their neighbourhood.

This work ties into larger goals around local engagement and energy. Projects like the Quarticciolo Energy Community open up new opportunities for residents—especially young people—to become more involved in shaping their environment and future. Through these grassroots initiatives, Quarticciolo is beginning to shift the narrative from one of exclusion to one of possibility.

As the neighbourhood continues its fight for a better tomorrow, the gym stands as a symbol of what’s possible when communities te action from the ground up.

The full story, including the interview with Pietro Vicari, is featured in our article on Cooperative City.

📖 Read it here: cooperativecity.org/the-fight-for-hope-how-quarticciolos-boxing-gym-is-empowering-youth