Feeding social innovation in Palermo’s multicultural context: Moltivolti and the social regeneration of Ballarò

Abstract

This research examines the pivotal role of the Moltivolti association in promoting community empowerment in the Albergheria district of Palermo through design and social innovation strategies. By focusing on intercultural food practices, the study highlights how Moltivolti’s initiatives foster social cohesion and sustainable development in a marginalized, multicultural context, addressing the social ruins left by systemic neglect and discrimination in a landscape often marked by fragmentation and instability. Using qualitative methods, the research highlights the importance of social design in addressing socio-economic challenges and illustrates how local associations can act as catalysts for inclusive and resilient community regeneration.