Opens in Cerignola a new Solidarity Garden-Orchardcreated with the contribution of Procter & Gamblethe collaboration of CRAI and technical support from Zero CO2: a green oasis where attention to the environment and social inclusion meet to restore new value to the territory and all its citizens. Comprehends 75 pomegranate treesspread over approximately one hectare of land managed by Coop. Social Alterecowhich since 2008 has involved people from restorative justice paths, ex-prisoners and vulnerable subjects in social agriculture projects on land confiscated from the mafia, taking care of the crops until the creation of finished products. This new Solidarity Garden-Orchard joins 23 others created in the rest of Italy by Procter&Gamble as part of “P&G for Italy”, the largest corporate citizenship program ever launched in our country by the company, which since 2021 it has been implementing concrete social responsibility projects. With Cerignola we thus arrive at a total of 24 Solidarity vegetable gardens and orchards scattered throughout the national territory, with 30,000 square meters of total surface area e over 2,000 plants between fruit and honey trees, which will help promote the social inclusion of approximately 400 fragile subjects at risk of social marginalizationwhile ensuring it economic autonomy.
«We are particularly proud of the Solidarity Gardens-Orchards project, which manages to combine attention for the environment with that for the most disadvantaged people, offering a protected place in which, through work in nature, one can feel welcomed and included in the community. within the community – he explains Daniela Cappello, Corporate Scientific&Sustainability Communication Director Procter&Gamble Italia. The Solidarity Garden-Orchard of Cerignola talks about second chances and work as the key to finding your way and your place in society. A concrete help for which we thank the Altereco Cooperative and which we share with CRAI, and obviously AzzeroCO2 whose support is fundamental for the realization of this wonderful project”. «The creation of a Solidarity Garden-Orchard in Cerignola highlights the concrete aims of the project created by P&G and CRAI which involves opportunities for socialisation, acquisition of skills and integration. All objectives dutifully pursued in an area like the one in which our company operates which deserves support and progress. We thank AzzeroCO2 and the Altereco Cooperative of Cerignola which has been working for several years with extraordinary commitment for the social recovery and regeneration of our territory” he declares Emanuela Cecca, Marketing Manager of Proshop, brand of the Crai Group.
«This type of synergy is very good for the territories, in our case the value multiplies because we operate on land confiscated from the mafia. All those involved are taking on their shoulders a part of the responsibility for the value of this action. We are transforming a place of ill repute into a place where inclusion, perspectives and dignity are “cultivated”” he says Vincenzo Pugliese of the Coop. Altereco. «Combining social anti-mafia experiences with the promotion of good work and sustainable development is the social objective achieved by the positive synergy from which the Solidarity Garden-Orchard originates. It is in the interest of the entire Cerignola community to promote innovative models of inclusion rooted in the affirmation of the principle of legality and aimed at offering an opportunity to those who have made mistakes or experience a condition of fragility. I sincerely thank Procter&Gamble, CRAI, AzzeroCO2 and the Altereco Cooperative for their commitment to the realization of this beautiful project”, he comments Francesco Bonito, Mayor of Cerignola.
«The ‘Solidarity Vegetable Garden-Orchard’ campaign, which we are carrying out together with Legambiente, represents a concrete demonstration of how it is possible to combine sustainable development with active support for people in vulnerable situations. Thanks to the collaboration with Procter&Gamble and CRAI, and the commitment of the Altereco Social Cooperative, we have managed to create a space in Cerignola that offers new opportunities and a sense of belonging to those who are facing a path of social reintegration. This project is a real investment in the community and a commitment to building a more supportive and inclusive social fabric”, he adds Sara Palliccia, Project Manager of Widespread Solidarity Orchard Garden, AzzeroCO2.
