Educazione non formale e invecchiamento attivo: analisi descrittiva del caso dell’Università dell’Età Libera del Comune di Firenze

The contribution presents a longitudinal analysis of the user base of the University of Free Age (Università dell’Età Libera, UEL) of the Municipality of Florence over the period 2007-2024. The aim is to investigate how the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants align with international scientific evidence on Universities of the Third Age (U3A) and contribute to the promotion of active and healthy ageing. The study, based on aggregated data concerning age, gender, educational attainment, marital status, geographical origin, and occupational status, reveals a predominantly female, stable, loyal, and culturally competent user base. The discussion highlights the inclusive value of the service while also identifying challenges related to accessibility and the representation of vulnerable groups. The Florentine experience emerges as a public good practice, capable of combining strong territorial roots, high-quality educational provision and active citizenship, thus contributing to the pedagogical debate on adult education and the development of sustainable models of lifelong learning.