District School is a project designed by the Municipality of Milan to support people who want to start a new, useful and sustainable business that can have a positive impact on the city’s outlying districts.

District School transmits knowledge and practical tools to transform ideas, needs and wishes into real projects conceived and implemented by people living in the city, to improve life in their district (neighbourhood services, personal and household services, sports, social and cultural events, redeployment of unused spaces, collaboration and mutual aid services, circular economy, craftmanship, manufacturing).

This is a project to transform the outskirts of Milan, tapping into the energy, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the people living there, bringing about social innovation and economic growth in all parts of the city involved in the project.

District School is a multidisciplinary educational programme providing information and practical tools. Participants will be given support in developing or implementing their business idea by people who can really help them transform a simple intuition into something real.

Where people already have a project, the District School will offer an advanced ten-week training course, so that they can learn about the necessary steps to start up a business, how to prepare a business plan and how to access finance.

On completing the course, participants can apply to a scheme run by the Municipality of Milan, with a new opportunity opening every six months. Successful applicants will receive a grant worth 25,000 euros plus support and tutoring to help introduce the business onto the market.

The District School started operating in early 2019, and meetings and workshops will be run for three years. The first two stages were for submissions involving the districts of Corvetto, Chiaravalle, Porto di Mare, Santa Giulia, Rogoredo, Lorenteggio, Giambellino and San Siro-Gallaratese-Selinunte.

The third stage began in October 2020, and relates to the districts of Bovisa, Dergano and Bruzzano. Groups of at least two people can apply to the advanced training courses, which last ten weeks. The groups must submit their proposal for a project and pass a selection process. Everything you need to know about joining District School is published on the project’s website www.lascuoladeiquartieri.it.