The WE Dream Fund: Support for University Education

Fondo Filantropico Italiano launches the WE Dream Fund, created on the initiative of Italian-American entrepreneur Emilia Fazzalari. The Fund will provide scholarships to disadvantaged female students from Calabria to support them in their university education.

The WE Dream Fund has been established with the aim of supporting young, motivated girls from Calabria in gaining access to some of the best Italian universities through scholarships and personalized mentoring paths. The initiative was created by Emilia Fazzalari, an Italian-American entrepreneur with Calabrian roots, and her husband Wycliffe Grousbeck, with the firm belief that education is the key to a future rich in opportunities. Therefore the Fund wants to offer young Calabrian girls a concrete chance to fulfill their dreams.

The scholarships

For the 2024/2025 academic year, four beneficiaries ("WE Dream Scholars") have already been selected and began their studies in September at Bocconi University and Luiss University. The project involves an investment of over 1 million euros, with the aim of awarding more than 10 scholarships over the 2024-2027 period, and giving as many young women as possible the opportunity to continue their studies despite their economic situation. The scholarships cover for the entire three-year study period university fees and accommodation costs, either fully or partially, depending on the financial situation of the beneficiaries. Additionally, the WE Dream Scholars will have access to other networking opportunities, with high-profile professionals, within the Fazzalari and Grousbeck network.

Promotional activities to reach new beneficiaries

Since September 2024 the WE Dream Fund has launched an awareness campaign in high schools across the Calabria region, including in more remote areas, to "instill" in young female students the confidence