"Coltiviamo Comunità" is the name of the new project promoted by the Noi Altri – Gastronomia Inclusiva Social Cooperative, which aims to create concrete job opportunities in agriculture and agro-pastoral for people with cognitive disabilities.
The initiative is not limited to simple workshop activities, but aims to create a stable model of inclusion, bringing together social cooperatives, agricultural businesses, institutions, and trade organizations. A key element is the Technical Partnership Committee, which will guide all phases of the project.
Its members include Coldiretti, the GAL Sgt – Sole Grano Terra, the Sant'Isidoro Rural District, Panta Rei Sardegna, and Asso.Na.Pa. Agricoltura, owned by Gianfranco Lai.
"The goal," explains Simona Pinna, an educational designer, "is not just to carry out educational activities, but to foster real job placement over time, creating a stable dialogue between all the stakeholders involved."
The project unfolds across three closely interconnected hubs. The first, called the Experiential Hub, will involve boys and girls with cognitive disabilities in hands-on social gardening activities and managing a worm farm. They will grow vegetables and berries, learn soil care, and produce natural compost. The resulting products will feed directly into the "Noi Altri" Inclusive Gastronomy supply chain, creating a virtuous cycle "from field to table."
The second, the Knowledge Hub, will take beneficiaries to local farms. Thanks to collaboration with Coldiretti and Asso.Na.Pa., visits will be organized to leading production facilities, where participants will be able to observe crops, livestock, milking, milk processing, and cheesemaking firsthand. "We want to foster experiential learning and foster a sense of community," emphasizes Giuseppe Casu, director of the Coldiretti Cagliari-Medio Campidano-Carbonia Iglesias Interprovincial Federation.
The third, the Technical Table Hub, represents the most innovative part. Here, partners will meet periodically to analyze the real needs of agricultural businesses, identify critical issues hindering job placement, and design training and awareness-raising programs for entrepreneurs. The goal is to promote inclusive organizational models and build a stable network between businesses, social services, and the third sector.
"The goal is to move beyond a purely welfare-based approach to build true community welfare," says Valentina Meloni, president of the Noi Altri cooperative. "Farms must become leaders in a process of social innovation, acquiring tools and skills to welcome workers with disabilities in a conscious and sustainable way."
A vision shared by all partners. Silvia Doneddu, director of the Gal Sgt – Sole Grano Terra, will offer her experience in participatory local development, while the Sant'Isidoro Rural District, through Mario Fadda, will foster connections with agricultural businesses. Panta Rei Sardegna will share educational methodologies focused on the active participation of people with disabilities.
William Salis, vice president of Noi Altri, concludes: "With 'Coltiviamo Comunità', we want to demonstrate that agriculture, social enterprise, and rural development can work together to create new employment opportunities and autonomy. The Technical Roundtable will be the place where concrete ideas and solutions will emerge to make the agricultural world increasingly inclusive."
(Unioneonline)