Skip to content

Inclusivity, Social Impact, and Cultural Promotion: The Story of Piazza Scammacca

Nestled in the heart of Catania’s historic center, Piazza Scammacca is more than just a startup; it’s a symbol of cultural revival, social inclusion, and urban regeneration. Co-founded by Nicola Vitale, this vibrant space blends the enogastronomic sector with cultural promotion, creating a welcoming environment where people, food, and culture meet. The project reclaims a piece of Catania’s lost history—transforming what was once a 17th-century church, abandoned after World War II, into a lively cultural hub.

Nicola Vitale, co-founder of Piazza Scammacca

A Place for Everyone

Piazza Scammacca was born with a mission: to create a space for meeting, exchange, and inclusion. Nicola describes it as a place where “everyone is welcome, and each person finds their dimension.” It is built on key principles like sustainability, social inclusion, fighting food waste, and fostering community engagement. The core of the initiative is inclusivity—creating opportunities for people from different walks of life and making cultural experiences accessible to all, regardless of financial ability.

A unique aspect of Piazza Scammacca is its cultural events, with an average of 20 events held monthly, ranging from theater performances and book presentations to wine tastings and cinema nights. These events are central to the space’s identity and demonstrate its commitment to culture as a key offering, rather than just a commercial enterprise. The philosophy of Piazza Scammacca is simple: “The Piazza is for everyone, and must belong to everyone.”

Revitalizing Community and Culture

Urban regeneration lies at the heart of Piazza Scammacca’s impact. By reviving an area that was once part of Catania’s thriving nightlife but had since fallen into decay, the project has brought new life to the neighborhood. Nicola and his team have collaborated with social cooperatives to ensure that the regeneration process benefits not only the physical space but also the people who live there. Through their work, they have transformed the square into a safe, inclusive, and culturally rich environment.

One of their key initiatives has been to involve vulnerable segments of the population in the project. By partnering with the social cooperative TEAM, they have offered paid internships to disadvantaged individuals, resulting in permanent employment for some. The startup was even recognized by UNHCR for employing a political refugee, demonstrating their commitment to social responsibility. Today, Piazza Scammacca provides employment to over 35 people, showcasing how business can drive social impact and inclusion.

Quality, Sustainability, and Overcoming Challenges

Piazza Scammacca has also made a bold choice in focusing on quality over quantity. By sourcing products locally and rejecting mass-market options—such as serving locally produced Cola instead of Coca-Cola—they promote sustainability and support local businesses. This decision initially presented challenges, especially in terms of pricing, but over time, the community has come to appreciate the unique quality of the offerings.

The journey hasn’t been without obstacles. From the bureaucratic hurdles that come with starting such an ambitious project to the impact of the pandemic, and even an unfortunate brawl that temporarily affected foot traffic, the challenges have been numerous. Yet, the team has faced them head-on, using each setback as an opportunity to grow and improve. Their resilience has paid off, with the once neglected square now thriving with life and activity.

Replicating the Model for Broader Impact

Nicola believes that the Piazza Scammacca model is replicable and could inspire similar initiatives in other parts of Europe. The key to success, he says, lies in having a strong vision, being able to communicate that vision effectively, and finding investors who believe in the project. Piazza Scammacca’s success is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared purpose, and its model—centralized management of multiple independent restaurant formats—offers a new approach to the restaurant industry, enhancing efficiency and community cohesion.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Piazza Scammacca aims to expand its offerings while staying true to its core values. They plan to introduce new formats that cater to the evolving needs of their audience while maintaining the balance of complementary services without competition. Additionally, sustainability remains a priority, with future plans to produce their own energy, further closing the loop on their commitment to environmental responsibility.

Piazza Scammacca is more than a business; it’s a community-driven movement that brings people together through culture, inclusivity, and sustainability. It serves as an example of how young entrepreneurs can turn challenges into opportunities, create spaces that foster community well-being, and build something that belongs to everyone.

Watch the story and get inspired:

The story is translated into several language (e.g. English, Norwegian, Turkish, Slovak, Arabic, Spanish, Italian). Regardless your language skills, Inspiring the Minds reaches you. Inclusion is our core value. To read the subtitles in your preferred language, simply follow the instructions below: 1) Activate Closed Captions (CC): At the bottom bar of the video player, locate the “cc” button. Click on it to activate closed captions. 2) Choose Your Language: Once you’ve activated closed captions, click on the settings icon (usually represented by a gear or cogwheel) within the video player. From the settings menu, select your preferred language from the available options.