This article covers:
How Caritas Pieve di Cento uses food to create dignity and social inclusion.
Why community-based, holistic approaches matter in tackling food poverty.
What Zugló and Budapest can learn from Italian examples of compassionate local action.
In October 2025, I had the opportunity to travel to Bologna, Italy, as part of the GiLE Foundation’s Food Poverty Ambassadorship. Representing Zugló Municipality alongside other Hungarian CLYMACT Ambassadors, we joined young people from across Europe to tackle one of our generation’s most pressing issues: ensuring food security and equity in our communities. While the program was packed with insightful thematic tables and workshops, the visit to Caritas Pieve di Cento left a particularly deep impression on me, where we learned about their important work to help people in need.
We often discuss food poverty in terms of statistics and logistics, how many people are affected, how to distribute surplus food. However, Caritas Pieve di Cento showed us the human side of the solution. As part of the broader Caritas Italy network, it operates as a Catholic social service organization focused on promoting charity, integral human development, and social justice within its local community.
Caritas Pieve di Cento activities include assisting those in need through concrete actions like emergency relief, supporting families, and fostering volunteerism and social service initiatives. Their approach goes far beyond simply providing a meal. They use food as a powerful tool for social inclusion, creating a space where everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, is welcomed with dignity. To not have a place for stigma of their circumstances.
During our thematic comparison session, we learned how their initiatives are woven into the fabric of the community. It’s about building relationships. They create opportunities for people to meet, talk, and support each other, breaking down the isolation that often accompanies poverty.
What stood out was the emphasis on dignity. The model isn’t built on one-way charity but on fostering a sense of belonging. By integrating their services, a bit outside of the town so others won’t see people reaching out and therefore be aware of their financial situation, make it confidential. Furthermore, they mentioned that they also consider the religious preferences of people. They make sure that the food they offer is what people would take, as halal meat, therefore avoiding creation of waste by having products that people won’t be interested in. It’s about creating systems where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
The work of Caritas Pieve di Cento served as a powerful reminder that the most effective solutions are often holistic. As we in Zugló and Budapest work on our own strategies to fight food poverty, this experience inspired me to think about how we can incorporate similar principles of social inclusion and community building into our local projects. I returned to Hungary with a renewed belief in the power of compassionate action. This practical example from a small Italian town showed me that combating food poverty isn’t just about the food on the plate. It’s about the community around the table.
[1] Find your track. [2] Join our online info session. [3] Apply!
This track provides aspiring diplomats and those interested in international public servants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills essential for a successful career in international relations. Participants will engage in workshops on diplomatic protocol, cultural diplomacy, and science diplomacy, alongside visits to embassies and relevant international organisations. These activities offer hands-on experience and insights into diplomatic practices and international development, helping participants develop the necessary skills and network to excel within international organisations.
Aspiring diplomats – International relations enthusiasts interested in careers in diplomacy, international development, and global cooperation.
International public servants – Students and young professionals interested in pursuing a career at an international organisation like the United Nations, UNESCO, UNHCR, or UNICEF, for example, without necessarily wanting to be a diplomat (i.e. remaining independent of any single nation’s government). Interests may include advancing global peace, international development, and human rights.
[1] Find your track. [2] Join our online info session. [3] Apply!
This track equips aspiring public servants and NGO leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary for impactful community work. Participants will attend workshops on introduction to nonprofit management and civic engagement, effective altruism, social innovation, design thinking, community engagement, and fundraising. Additionally, visits to local NGOs and municipalities will provide practical insights into the functioning and challenges of civic organizations. This track aims to foster effective leadership and innovative thinking in addressing social issues.
(Aspiring) public servants – Students and young professionals who work, or aspire to work, in government departments or local municipalities in their country, and who seek to enhance their skills, network, effectiveness in public administration and ability to improve their communities.
(Aspiring) non-profit founders – Passionate individuals interested in creating and leading non-profit organisations focused on addressing social and environmental issues.
Young changemakers and community organisers – Young leaders dedicated to mobilising communities and fostering grassroots movements to drive social change. This includes environmental advocates committed to promoting sustainable practices and policies to combat environmental issues.
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Produce written or verbal content that is clear and persuasive for our target audience for various platforms in a way that is consistent with our brand strategy and voice (articles, blogs, podcasts, newsletter texts, etc.).
Assist with the development of creative ideas and concepts for advertising, social
media, or crowdfunding campaigns.
Help drive brand consistency across all communication platforms
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements: