INNESTO

The gardens of Castello Beccadelli are a landmark of Marineo, yet today they are neglected and have no regular programme of activities. At the same time, many young people in the area are looking for chances to learn, make a difference and feel part of their town.

INNESTO brings the two together: volunteering as care for shared spaces and as a chance to grow. We have already run environmental education, microgreens and permaculture activities in the Gardens: now we want them to become a living place, looked after by the people who use it.

The project was selected by Semi di Bene 2026, a CeSVoP initiative supported by UniCredit.

Six months, from February to July 2027, with a group of 15 volunteers, mostly aged 18 to 30. Priority in the selection goes to young people not in education or employment, jobseekers, women, people with a migrant background and people in vulnerable situations.

The steps

• Selection of the volunteers in February.
• Training (5 days) with Arci Terra Franca: the ethics of volunteering, permaculture, regenerating public spaces, a visit to a property confiscated from the Mafia in Palermo, cultural events and fundraising.
• Mapping (2 days): volunteers choose together which places to work on, starting with the Gardens, and plan their actions.
• Hands-on work (8 days, April to June): clean-ups and green care, vegetable gardening and permaculture, composting, creative reuse with pallets, art and land art, talking circles and photo stories. All interventions are reversible and agreed with the municipality.
• Community celebration: two days open to everyone in the Castle Gardens in July 2027.

How we work

Self-managed teams with rotating responsibilities, and time to reflect together after each step. At the end, each volunteer receives a certificate of skills, also as a digital open badge. We also aim to sign a collaboration agreement with the Municipality of Marineo for the shared care of the space after the project ends.

We run it with Arci Terra Franca, which leads the training and supports the volunteers in the field, together with Eirene – Idee in Rete and the Municipality of Marineo.