To-nite - Community-based urban security

The To-nite project in Turin addresses the challenge of improving urban safety perception, particularly during nighttime, in two specific areas of the city: Aurora and Vanchiglia. Traditional urban services (such as public transportation, street lighting, police officers on patrol etc.) and public spaces are primarily designed for daytime use, but recent lifestyle trends have increased their nighttime attractiveness for cultural, economic, and civic activities. This shift has created new security challenges that conventional urban safety policies struggle to address effectively. Specifically, the city of Turin was interested to work on areas which were characterised by different density, accessibility and attractiveness during the nighttime, and consequently focused on areas with intense nightlife and others with low activity.

The To-nite project implemented a grant-based funding mechanism through a call for proposals "for the allocation of contributions aimed at improving liveability and the perception of safety during evening hours in the areas adjacent to the Dora River" specifically designed to address the nighttime safety challenges in Turin through community-driven solutions. This grant scheme was considered an IFS as it established an innovative grant scheme combining traditional funding with 20% community co-financing, capacity-building support, and data-driven tools to help NGOs and small non-profits improve nighttime urban safety and liveability, transforming a classical funding mechanism into an effective instrument for sustainable urban innovation. This IFS serves multiple strategic purposes:

• Empowering Local Solutions: The IFS enabled direct community involvement in addressing safety perception issues by supporting initiatives that activate public spaces during nighttime hours, while promoting social cohesion and community belonging through locally driven projects.
• Ensuring Project Sustainability: while the projects are socially focused, to ensure their sustainability, the municipality required 20% matched funding from grantees to ensure commitment and financial viability. It focuses on developing self-sustaining initiatives that can continue beyond the initial funding period, while providing project management training to build long-term organisational capacity.
• Building Community Capacity: the municipality enhanced the traditional grant mechanism with an innovative Acceleration programme based on an Urban data platform that equips local NGOs and third-sector organisations with management and evaluation skills. This programme created a network for knowledge sharing among project participants and strengthens the ability of local organisations to implement and sustain nighttime safety initiatives.

This IFS structure was chosen for its proven effectiveness as the municipality is used to the process and in working with NGOs while being adaptable enough to incorporate innovative elements like the Acceleration programme, ensuring funded projects directly contribute to improving nighttime safety perception and community cohesion[1].

[1] Journal 2: Preparing to fly - Tonite project in 2021

The city of Turin established the IFS via a call for proposals, inviting NGOs and small non-for-profit organisations to propose innovative solutions for improving nighttime safety and liveability in the Aurora and Vanchiglia areas of Turin. The scheme allocated a total of €1 million in non-refundable grants, with individual projects receiving between €30,000 to €60,000. Applicants were required to co-finance 20% of their project costs, mirroring the city's funding model with the EU in the framework of their UIA funding and ensuring their commitment to self-sufficiency.

This approach involved 59 local NGOs, businesses, schools, and the university, emphasising community participation and collaborative planning. The grants aimed to kick-start projects that could become financially self-sufficient over time, promoting long-term sustainability.

Out of 83 submitted proposals, 19 were selected for funding. Following the selection process, an innovative Acceleration programme was implemented to support the chosen projects, offering training in management, monitoring, and evaluation skills.

Figure 1. Visual representation of the IFS

The IFS process followed five key steps:

Step 1 - Issuing call for proposals: The process began with community dialogues in the two targeted neighbourhoods experiencing security issues. These consultations with local associations, diverse communities, ethnic groups, and urban safety experts helped co-design the call for proposals and identify key unsafe areas. The Municipality of Turin and its partners then launched the call in December 2020.

Step 2 - Applying for funding: NGOs and small non-for-profit organisations responded to the call, which was published on the Municipality's website for 3 months. During this application phase, the Municipality organized co-design workshops to support potential applicants. Despite the pandemic, the city adapted their practices by conducting approximately 50 online meetings to guide organisations through their idea development process. Also, the To-nite Urban Data Platform was crucial in this step. While collecting and analysing data from diverse sources to help Turin's officials monitor urban security, also served as a crucial support tool for local organisations. The platform helped NGOs and small local associations - particularly those with limited grant-writing experience - develop high-quality proposals and access funding, demonstrating how digital tools can both inform policy and democratise access to resources[1].

Step 3 - Selecting and providing funding: Projects were evaluated and selected based on their potential to address liveability and improve perception of safety during evening and nighttime hours, with particular attention to proposals demonstrating a local and community-based approach to managing urban challenges. 19 projects were ultimately selected for funding.

Step 4 - Providing support through Acceleration programme: Technical experts provided crucial support to the selected projects through the Acceleration programme. This programme was specifically designed to help NGOs and small non-for-profit organisations ensure successful project delivery.

Step 5 - Implementing projects: The final step involved the actual implementation of the urban security projects by the selected organizations. Throughout this implementation phase, the community-based aspect remained central to the process, maintaining the participatory approach that characterized the entire IFS.

[1] To-Nite – the technological platform

The launch of the IFS for the city of Turin was relatively straightforward, mirroring the processes of a conventional project call. The city's experience in managing call for proposals and collaborating with NGOs and non-profit organisations facilitated this process. The additional innovative components such as the Acceleration programme, the Urban data platform in collaboration with various department of the city have been more challenging regarding implemented novel practices but were not complex to set up thanks to the support of external technical experts.

The grant was aimed for local NGOs, and to ensure the success of the IFS in improving the perception of urban security, a socio-ethnographic research study was conducted at the start of the project. This research aimed to identify locations and areas significant to the residents of the Aurora and Vanchiglia neighborhoods, map opportunities and challenges, and calculate an "Index of Perceived Safety and Livability" for these areas.

The study identified 10 social dimensions[1] each associated with specific indicators. The primary goal was to measure the perception of insecurity and livability in the areas highlighted by the research in both neighborhoods.

[1] These 10 dimensions are: network of services in the area, economic precarity, perception of crime, level of education, work ecosystem, physical  and aesthetic conditions of places, active citizenship, social cohesion  and integration between communities, sense of belonging, social and community network see p.7 of the Tonite’s final report

The IFS’ financial structure consisted of 80% EU funding coming from the UIA resources, with the remaining 20% contributed by the city of Turin. Successful applicants received grant amounting 80% of their project costs as upfront funding to kickstart their activities (amounting to a total of 1,000,000 EUR). NGOs were required to co-finance the remaining 20% of their project costs. The other partners did not contribute financially to the IFS.

The IFS’ operational scope encompassed approximately 36.53 person-months during a period of 4 years. As a public administration, Turin's average personnel costs were €4,000 per person-month. This multi-departmental approach and extended timeline reflect the project's comprehensive nature and the city's allocation of resources across various municipal sectors to support its implementation[1].

[1] these numbers have been provided by ToNite project managers

The To-nite project integrated 6 departments of the Municipality:

European Funds and PNRR[1], Local Police, Public Works – Infrastructure And Mobility Department, Environment And Ecological Transition, Culture – Sport – Major Events And Tourism Promotion, City District 7 - Aurora - Vanchiglia - Madonna Del Pilon.

In addition, other stakeholders from technology, innovation, social, and municipal sectors sector (Fondazione Torino Wireless, Engineering Ingegneria Informatica S.p.A, Experientia, SocialFare, EFUS, Espereal Technologies and ANCI) provided technical expertise in platform development, the Acceleration programmes and urban security.

Local communities, who contributed to the call for proposals design, ensured alignment with actual needs and were involved throughout the overall duration of the project from the design to the monitoring of the project.

Apart from EU funding (ERDF) through UIA, stakeholders involved in the governance framework

[1] Recovery and Resilience Plan

• The strong community participation: the city of Turin noted that the number of proposals received (83) was very high, especially when considering that the action was focusing only on two specific areas of the city during COVID19. A strong involvement that was crucial for the success of the 19 selected projects and that was enable by involving local communities from the designing stage.
• Municipal involvement: The hands-on approach of civil servants from the city of Turin in providing support to NGOs and non-profit organisations in developing their proposals was key in ensuring the quality of submissions as well as participation and keeping the momentum going throughout the project.
• Prior experience: The civil servants at the city of Turin were already familiar with grant schemes, which enabled smooth implementation without disrupting administrative practices. Furthermore, their established track record of collaboration with NGOs and non-profit organisations facilitated seamless project implementation and operations.
• Accelerator programme: This component contributed to the development of more robust project proposals, enhancing their potential for success.
• The urban data platform: As To-nite addresses various topic from various city departments linked to its main one of urban safety, such as children, education, EU funds, etc. and there was a necessity to break silos between them. The project platform with the various data sets all compiled on it

The success of this project depended on various interconnected factors. Firstly, political buy-in is important in this type of project targeting urban safety and dealing with various groups of diverse stakeholders (NGOs, migrants communities, youth etc.). This was readily secured as the project aligned with the city’s strategy and objectives.

Additionally a thorough understanding of the social context was crucial. To achieve this, the team conducted comprehensive social research at the project's outset, investigating local community dynamics and identifying key factors that influence perceptions of urban safety. This initial research provided valuable insights into the social fabric of target areas, enabling more effective project implementation. By combining strong political alignment with deep community understanding, the project established a solid foundation for success.

• COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic severely impacted the project, causing delays at the tendering stage with extended application deadlines and delayed award announcements, resulting in a one-year project extension. During implementation, lockdowns necessitated activity redesigns whilst communities grappled with heightened psychological and socio-economic distress. The city's response involved transitioning online, conducting approximately 50 virtual meetings to support NGOs and not-for-profit organisations with idea development.
• Night-time Activity Management: Evening and night-time activities posed significant organisational challenges, especially during winter months and for child-focused projects. This necessitated careful adjustments to project timelines and activity planning to ensure effective delivery.
• Financial Scheme Complexity: Many participating organisations lacked familiarity with the financial scheme, requiring the municipality to provide extensive technical support to help them navigate requirements and processes effectively.
• Funding Sustainability Challenges: Securing additional funding for NGO growth and sustainability proved particularly challenging. Despite organising showcase events for banks and foundations, few projects succeeded in obtaining additional financing, as the private sector struggled to recognise the long-term monetary value of social impact. The city's implementation of a guarantee system leveraging its EU funding status (up to €60,000) proved insufficient to fully reassure private investors, as the grant limit was deemed relatively low.

The combination of grants (€30,000 to €60,000) with a 20% matched funding requirement enabled locally rooted NGOs to access sufficient funding while ensuring the viability of their project. This financial structure, in addition to innovative support from the municipality via the urban platform and workshops, specifically allowed migrant and cultural associations to participate in sustainable urban project here targeting urban safety for the first time.

The IFS's innovative integration of funding with capacity building support proved crucial. The municipality's provision of application guidance and project management training directly enabled smaller NGOs to develop viable proposals and successfully implement their projects. This support mechanism, delivered through 50 online guidance meetings, was particularly effective during COVID-19 restrictions.

The scheme's requirement for sustainable business models, backed by municipal support from start to finish, led to concrete long-term results:

• Two new social hubs (Campus Leone Ginzburg, Yalla Aurora)
• Two experimental public space projects with potential new collaboration agreements (Lido Dora Vanchiglietta, Grandangolo for the Parini school area)
• Additional proximity hubs, street activities, and urban regeneration initiatives
• 52.8% of initiatives evolving into permanent impact-oriented services

The effectiveness of the IFS in targeting funds to local NGOs and projects is evidenced by significant improvements in neighbourhood conditions. Despite initial challenges during the pandemic when perceived security decreased from 4.07 to 3.90 and liveability from 4.96 to 3.60[1] in 2023, the final results showed remarkable improvement. The 2024 follow-up survey revealed that perceived security rose to 5.20 and night-time public space use increased to 5.70. This positive transformation was further validated by a 37.5% reduction in urban alerts, demonstrating how the IFS effectively channelled resources to create lasting positive change.

[1] The indicator is on a 10-point scale and the target to achieve for each indicator mentioned was 2

The IFS effectively contributed to the achievement of the To-nite project's objectives although these were quite impacted from COVID-19. To-nite's grant-funding sparked social innovation in its target neighbourhoods, funding projects that were tackling urban security through novel night-time initiatives and that would not have managed to find funding otherwise as future profitability of these types of projects is not straightforward to demonstrate. Projects ranged from an outdoor local web-based radio open to all, the reopening of a green space with the programming of events and activities for all (stories activities with children and grandparents, music performances, etc.), workshop led by associations of migrant populations to discover their cultures and many more. By mobilising local resources and fostering innovative solutions, the IFS addressed immediate safety concerns while promoting sustainable, community-driven urban regeneration.

Moreover, by funding projects that made the two areas feel more secured, the IFS had an indirect leveraging effect. The Tonite project successfully leveraged € 9.480.975,51 in 2024 and €37.842.822  for the 2025-2027 period [1] in public and private investment to enhance urban safety in the targeted areas. This investment is largely EU funding as the projects funded via To-nite’s IFS have positioned the city to secure additional larger funds, such as REACT-EU. The improved safety and image of these areas encouraged previously reluctant private investors to consider urban development projects.

[1] tonite.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/EN__-Report-Tonite-1.pdf

 The IFS innovated beyond traditional grant-making through three key elements: community participation in the scheme's design, a 20% matched funding requirement from local organisations, an integrated Acceleration programme and ultimately enabled the launch of innovative projects tackling urban safety[1]. What made this IFS particularly innovative was that the City of Turin departed from conventional municipal practices by actively engaging with and supporting smaller, locally rooted organizations - including migrant associations and cultural groups that traditionally had limited access to public funding mechanisms. This represented a significant shift in how the municipality interacts with civil society organisations and in addition of funding projects that were innovative, adopted innovative practices from the outset.

The effectiveness of this approach was validated through strong stakeholder engagement in both project implementation and scheme design. The significant response (83 proposals) demonstrated how this new administrative approach successfully bridged the gap between the municipality and grassroots organisations. While local businesses didn't provide financial support, their promotion of initiatives to their clientele showed how the IFS's structure could catalyze broader community involvement beyond traditional municipal-NGO relationships.

Through this enhanced grant scheme, To-nite not only built long-term capacity within local organisations but also pioneered a new model of municipal-community collaboration in Turin, demonstrating how innovative administrative practices can transform traditional funding mechanisms into effective tools for sustainable urban development.

[1] See ToNite’s final report with the various examples of projects

The IFS has demonstrated its potential for long-term viability as a funding mechanism through its successful integration into Turin's existing administrative framework. The combination of traditional grant elements (80% funding) with matched funding requirements (20% from beneficiaries), supported by the city's technical expertise and capacity-building programs, has created a financially sustainable model – as shown with more than half of the projects funded which are still running now – that doesn't rely solely on EU funding, although it was crucial to kickstart it. This administrative integration coupled with the assurance of strong business models from the outset ensures the mechanism can continue operating efficiently within the city's established processes while maintaining the innovative elements that made it successful.

The sustainability of the IFS as a funding mechanism is further validated by its ability to be integrated into Turin's existing administrative framework, making it a viable long-term tool for sustainable urban development financing. The successful implementation in Vanchiglia and Aurora has created a tested template that can be adapted and replicated in different contexts across the city.

Initially piloted in two neighborhoods, the success of its structure and implementation has led the city to plan its relaunch at a larger scale across Turin as a whole and not only two neighbourhoods. This scalability shows the IFS's potential as a sustainable funding tool for urban development, although its implementation currently relies significantly on EU funding support.

Key aspects of this expansion include:

• A new grant launched in June 2024, targeting the entire city.
• An increased budget of €2.4 million, with up to €240,000 per project with the same conditions to tackle urban safety.
• Expected funding for 10-15 projects across Turin.
• Priority given to previously targeted peripheral areas, ensuring continuity.

The scheme's design, combining traditional grant elements with innovative support mechanisms and matched funding requirements, has proven to be a replicable and sustainable model. Although challenges remain in getting financial institutions to recognise social value.

To-nite’s IFS demonstrates high replicability potential for other cities. Its success lies in its simplicity and effectiveness in engaging local communities to address urban challenges.

Any city can adopt this model, regardless of size although a previous experience with community engagement and working with NGOs is preferable. The key elements that make this IFS easily replicable include:

• A straightforward call for proposals process
• Targeted funding for local non-profit organisations
• Focus on community-driven solutions for public spaces
• Emphasis on both physical and social interventions

Cities can adjust the scale, budget, and specific focus areas to suit their local needs and resources.

Tonite’s success positions Turin as a model for other cities facing similar urban challenges, demonstrating how targeted financial instruments can drive positive change in specific areas and contribute to broader city-wide improvements. The project managers from Turin have been invited to share their experiences with other cities, particularly those less accustomed to working with NGOs on urban development projects. This knowledge transfer further underscores the scheme's replicability, as it provides a blueprint for cities looking to implement similar community-driven initiatives.

The City of Turin is involved and has benefited from other EU-funds, structural funds and is open to seek for complement funding, also with national or regional funds if they should be deployed. However, it is important to note that different funds often target different sectors/areas, and it is common to use them to achieve different results.

To-nite’s IFS demonstrates how traditional grant mechanisms can be enhanced with innovative support tools to create sustainable urban development projects. While the basic structure follows a classic grant scheme, its success relies on several innovative elements that transform it into an effective instrument for sustainable change.

Key factors to consider when implementing a similar IFS:

• Matched funding requirement: Implement a financial contribution requirement (in this case 20%) from beneficiary organisations to ensure commitment and project sustainability.
• Digital tools: Integrate digital tools like an Urban Data Platform to help organisations develop stronger proposals and monitor project impacts.
• Comprehensive support program: Taking best practices from the private sector through the Acceleration programme has enabled the city to provide ongoing technical assistance, enhancing organisations' capacity beyond simple fund distribution.
• Inclusive application process: Design an accessible application process with guided support (such as consultation meetings) to enable participation from smaller, locally-rooted organisations.
• Community engagement: Ensure strong community involvement at all project stages, from design to implementation, to create lasting local impact.
• Long-term sustainability focus: Structure the scheme to promote project continuity beyond the initial funding period (evidenced by 52% of projects continuing operations).
• Scalability potential: the IFS can be expanded and implemented in other cties easily as it is rooted in traditional administrative practices (grant), allowing successful pilot programs to be implemented at a larger scale.
• Administrative innovation: Enhance traditional grant mechanisms with innovative practices

This model has proven particularly effective in Turin, demonstrating how innovative administrative practices can transform classical funding tools into instruments for sustainable urban innovation.

• To-nite Journal 1: the first year of the project
• Journal 2: Preparing to fly - To-nite project in 2021
• Journal 3: 2022 The Key Year for the Delivery of the Activities | Portico

• ToNite – Journal n.4 – A final update on the project and its legacy in Turin | Portico
• To-nite website
• To-nite Final Project report

• To-nite - Progetti europei della Città di Torino (torinoeuprojects.it)
• Tonite Final Qualitative Report, Internal document, made available by UIA Permanent Secretariat
• Interviews with Fabrizio Barbiero and Michele Lamanna, To-nite project managers at the city of Turin