Croce Verde ONLUS

Croce Verde ONLUS is a volunteering association located in Castelfidardo, and it is registered in the Region Marche register as a non profit organization. Currently the association employs 12 employees and has 285 associated volunteers, of which 130 are aged under 30. The volunteers provide first aid services, they accompany elderly and disabled people to the hospital, they deliver medicines at home. Last year the association has offered the following services: 7.000 transports by ambulance 4.000 transports of people with disabilaties 1.700 emergency situations Since 2002 Croce Verde has taken part as both partner and coordinating organization in network projects providing training and vocational courses. Periodically the team organizes first aid and safety courses to the associated, and promotes its volunteering activity into the schools and among the population organizing events in the territory. The headquarters of the Croce Verde is also a venue for non formal learning activities; periodically we organize events attended by volunteers and people willing to join the association; this is a way to socialize, dialogue and debate about the importance of volunteering and the role of civil society organizations. Since 1998 Croce Verde has hosted more than 160 young participants in National Civil Service projects; during these projects the young volunteers have brought their support in several activitities: management of a web-radio, drawing up the Croce Verde's social balance, solidarity and fund-raising events, etc The association is a promoter of helping weak and ill people and gives an important contribution on several different occasions. The slogan of the association is: “Be always united one to each other”. Croce Verde is a place of aggregation for people and specially for youngsters as the average age is 30 years old. This is a crucial aspect for the association since it promotes the collaboration between the association itself and a wide range of stakeholders, such as institutions, schools, and citizens. Croce Verde aims to involve the youngs in the decision-making process inside the organization, in order to give them a sense of responsibility and active citizenship (for example the person in charge of the Training management is 26 years old). Most of the services, which the association offers to the local community, are carried out by volunteers, half of them are young people.