Enel Global Trading took part in the OrtoFrutteto Solidale Diffuso (the “Widespread Solidarity Orchard”) initiative. It’s promoted by AzzeroCO2 (“Cut CO2”) and Legambiente (the “Environmental League”) and has the aim of protecting biodiversity through the creation of solidarity orchards, thus combining skills and values for human, environmental, economic and civic progress.
Choosing responsible partners with whom we can share values, challenges and goals is one of our corporate paradigms: in AzzeroCO2 we have found reliability and experience, but above all the will to implement concrete actions for achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
This common vision led to the creation of an orchard for environmental sustainability and social inclusion: 200 olive trees were planted in the grounds of Casa Emmaus, a cooperative that has, for the last 35 years, been caring for people who are severely marginalized. The cooperative gives a warm welcome to men and women with psychiatric problems, pathological addictions, in conditions of severe poverty, people arriving in Italy from migration processes or minors in difficult conditions and without any support. The men and women who work here try to give support, starting with integration and empowerment. The aim of the project is to make the activity of social cooperatives even more virtuous, by promoting the biodiversity of the local area, social integration and the involvement of guests and users of the facility.
Indeed, thanks to the creation of the orchard, social and labor reintegration activities will be expanded in favor of the cooperative's guests, who will acquire practical skills. This will enable them to develop as individuals, in addition to empowering them, so that they can find jobs. Furthermore, the creation of the orchard will contribute to the establishment of a network among the users of the cooperative's different locations, thereby becoming a connecting point for different needs and requirements.
The sustainable and supportive identity of the project was also enhanced by the involvement of 30 Enel employees, who took part in the corporate volunteer initiative by helping to plant plants and taking part in an herb workshop organized by the cooperative. In this way, they shared a day in which they made a valuable contribution, both in environmental and human terms.
"We would like to thank Enel Global Trading, AzzeroCO2 and Legambiente for the opportunity to participate in this important initiative," said Giovanna Grillo, president of Casa Emmaus. "For us, the Solidarity Orchard is a place not only for production, but also for personal and community growth. For the guests of Casa Emmaus, it is a moment of redemption," she added, "they feel part of the community, they feel that someone else is interested in them, and not just the people who work there.