Projects and network
EFC - Educating Future Citizens
A network of Italian University Schools of Excellence offering advanced orientation, high-level training, and international opportunities to secondary school and university students, both in Italy and abroad.
EFC is an initiative promoting innovative pathways to support young people in choosing their academic and research careers through seminars, mentoring, and both residential and online training activities.
This network—comprising 3 special-status university schools and 5 university Superior Advanced Schools—works to guide young talents, enhance advanced teaching, promote internationalization, and foster innovation, digitalization, and sustainability through an innovative and interdisciplinary approach.
These pillars form the foundation for educating conscious citizens capable of tackling future challenges with a solid, versatile background.
Funding programme: PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) M4C1 Inv.3.4 “Advanced university teaching and skills” – Sub-Investment “Strengthening of University Schools of Excellence”
Lead Institution: IUSS Pavia - School of Advanced Studies
Duration: 24 months
Website: educatingfuturecitizens.com
Partnership:
- Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS - Pavia
- Scuola IMT Alti Studi – Lucca
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) – Trieste
- Scuola di studi superiori “Carlo Urbani” - Università di Camerino
- Scuola di studi superiori “G. Leopardi” - Università di Macerata
- Scuola di studi superiore “Ferdinando Rossi” - Università di Torino
- Scuola superiore dell’Università degli studi di Udine
- Collegio internazionale Ca' Foscari - Università di Venezia
Iniatitives
The Spring School is an educational program developed in collaboration with the Competency Centre. It is designed to help students explore their aspirations and develop the Emotional and Social Competencies (ESC) essential for achieving their professional goals.
The School aims to provide a methodological approach and the necessary tools to promote the sustainable and long-term development of these skills.
The program consists of 8 seminars scheduled between late March and mid-June 2026.
Learning objectives: the curriculum is designed to help participants:
- gain awareness of their own Emotional and Social Competencies (ESC);
- build the motivation to undertake a path of change aimed at developing these skills;
- acquire methodologies for the constant and sustainable development of competencies over time;
- learn how to design a personalized learning plan to reach their desired career path;
- experience techniques to support learning within their daily context.
This activity is part of the EFC - Educating Future Citizens project: Ministerial Decree (D.M.) 291/2024 – European Union Next-GenerationEU – National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) – CUP H77G24000190007.
Hands-on workshops designed to help students and researchers develop the tools needed to present their work with clarity and creativity, enhancing its visibility, accessibility, and impact.
Past initiatives
The Colloquium is an honour course for Doctoral students interested in analytical (both theoretical and applied) methods for the measurement, management and mitigation of risks.
On Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, the International College, in collaboration with the "Toppo Wassermann" Superior Advanced School of the University of Udine, organized a unique orientation event. The initiative welcomed 60 high school students and 6 teachers from the Veneto and Friuli regions, offering them an immersive and engaging introduction to university life.
The first day focused on critical thinking and debate methodology. Sessions were led by expert trainers from the University of Padua, representing the "Palestra di botta e risposta [ITA]" project.
To experience the reality of College life firsthand, students and teachers stayed overnight at the Camplus college residence and the Canossiane Institute. This provided a valuable opportunity to learn about the College’s community and the daily rhythm of a university student.
On Sunday morning, the group from Veneto traveled by bus to the Advanced Superior School of Udine. There, they met with another group of 30 students trained in a different debate style. The session allowed participants to compare methodologies, challenge one another, and build new connections.
The event was specifically designed for junior and senior high school students (4th and 5th year). Working in teams, participants were able to:
- develop dialectical and oratorical skills through structured debate
- gain firsthand insight into university life
- discover Excellence Schools within the Universities of Venice and Udine
The programme concluded with a group lunch before the participants returned to Venice.
 | Programme [ITA] | 1.36 M |
Within the framework of the EFC Project, a call for applications has been launched for international mobility grants dedicated to the students of the Ca' Foscari International College who will be spending a period of study abroad during the 2025/2026 academic year.
The objective is twofold: on one hand, to enrich the individual educational path of each student through exposure to diverse academic and cultural environments; on the other, to strengthen the international collaboration network of both the Ca' Foscari International College and the EFC Project.
During their mobility period, students are required to act as ambassadors, promoting the International College and its associated network of Schools of Excellence within their host institution and country. This initiative aims to disseminate the network’s activities and increase the visibility of these Schools among potential future candidates.
ASSI
A Project for the Future of the Italian University Network
The ASSI Network [ITA] (Rete ASSI) is the alliance of the 10 Italian Superior Advanced Schools (Scuole Superiori di Ateneo). It is the result of a regulatory framework initiated by the Ministerial Decree DM 231/2023.
This network serves as a community where each school is committed to providing its students with the highest quality educational opportunities and academic services.
Students of these “Schools of Excellence” have the chance to engage with Italy’s leading academic institutions, participate in advanced training initiatives, and access programs designed to help them excel in the international academic and professional landscapes.
Through this network, students can access shared resources and projects, take part in innovative educational initiatives, and develop interdisciplinary skills within a national and international context that fosters dialogue and mutual growth.
The mission of the ASSI Network is to create a dynamic environment where education and research intertwine, promoting the development of expertise, research, and innovation across scientific and cultural fields.
The Schools of the Network
The 10 Italian Superior Advanced Schools are distinguished by their academic prestige and their dedication to the cultural and professional growth of their students. Their educational paths combine scientific rigor with a strong openness to innovation.
They offer multidisciplinary programs that integrate theoretical teaching with practical activities, research, and in-depth study, all within an environment that stimulates critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. They all offer free accommodation during the academic year to build up a multidisciplinary community.
Italian Superior Advanced Schools
These are the 10 Italian Superior Advanced Schools:
- Collegio Superiore Università di Bologna
- Scuola Superiore ISUFI Università del Salento
- Scuola di Studi Superiori “Carlo Urbani” - Università di Camerino
- Scuola di Studi Superiori “Ferdinando Rossi” - Università di Torino
- Scuola di Studi Superiori “G. Leopardi” - Università di Macerata
- Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori - Università di Padova
- Scuola Superiore di Catania - Università di Catania
- Scuola Superiore Universitaria di Toppo Wassermann - Università di Udine
- Scuola Superiore di Studi Avanzati - La Sapienza Roma
Last update: 13/04/2026