This flagship project, inspired by the global ‘Schools Reinventing Cities’ initiative by the C40 network, engaged students in reimagining their city through a unique digital tool – Minecraft Education. The aim was to empower young people to design a greener, more sustainable Treviso while learning about environmental challenges and developing creative solutions to address them.
A collaborative, educational and digital experience
Organisers launched the project in October 2024 with training for teachers. It brought together 7 schools, 21 classes, 26 teachers and 433 students from across Treviso. From November to April, students worked in teams in the classroom to explore environmental issues and redesign parts of their city using Minecraft Education.
Through a blend of lessons, workshops and collaborative digital work, students developed 104 project proposals. These designs not only addressed sustainability but also allowed students to showcase impressive digital, critical thinking and teamwork skills.
From classrooms to the stage and a hackathon
In May 2025, a technical committee, joined by the mayor and deputy mayor of Treviso, reviewed all submissions. Together, they evaluated projects based on coherence, originality, feasibility and creativity. The committee officially awarded 10 projects and gave 13 additional proposals special mentions for their vision and innovation.
On 22 May, the city hosted a major award ceremony at the Teatro Comunale, where the city invited all participating students to present their ideas. Students used visuals and videos taken directly from their Minecraft creations to demonstrate how young minds can rethink sustainable urban spaces.
Organisers invited winning groups to take part in the ‘H-ack Kids’ event on 4 June 2025 held at project partner H-FARM Campus. Teams spent a full day refining their concepts with support from experienced mentors. The hackathon concluded with formal presentations to an audience of families, teachers and a jury, who provided the students with feedback and advice.
A foundation for the future
‘Schools Reinventing Treviso’ is more than an educational project; it’s a launchpad for innovation and youth participation. Students presented many ideas that will inform future policies and projects in Treviso, contributing to a ‘Green Treviso’ that the youngest citizens are helping to shape.
This initiative serves as a powerful example of how sustainability, digital education and civic engagement can intersect to pave the way for a more sustainable future.
