Arrexini Asula

Arrexini Asula is a young NGO in Seulo, Sardinia, Italy, working to create a youth and animal sanctuary and striving to bring people closer to their natural roots. It was founded in April 2024 by young Sardinan and Latvian youth workers and local youth of Seulo, who share a deep passion of working with youth, love for animals, and care for nature. What does “youth and animal sanctuary” mean? In short, the association is building a safe space both for youth and animals. Safe space for animals - the NGO is dedicated to creating and maintaining a place that provides a safe and fulfilling life for rescued farm and shelter animals. Currently caring for fifteen animals, they are actively expanding to offer shelter to even more in need. Safe space for youth - Arrexini Asula promotes and practices radical social inclusion by inspiring youth - especially those facing challenging circumstances - to reconnect with nature, rediscover their roots, and cultivate a sense of authenticity, while learning to value and accept the authenticity of others. The NGO uses the animal sanctuary as their core approach to achieve this, as interactions with animals can be deeply healing, offering emotional support, fostering empathy, and nurturing a strong connection to nature. The sanctuary's purpose is to deepen people’s connection to nature and expand their empathy for both humans and animals. The association focuses on engaging marginalised youth, particularly those with neurodivergence, challenging backgrounds, and those from rural areas. Arrexini Asula’s youth workers have extensive experience in supporting these groups, making them the NGO’s primary target. In addition to youth, their programs also welcome adults and seniors, especially in the areas of community development and sustainability education. While primarily focused on marginalised youth and animals, Arrexini Asula encompasses a wide range of interests centred around reconnecting with nature: Environmental stewardship One of Arrexini Asula’s main objectives is to spark young people’s interest in nature and foster a sense of responsibility toward it, making environmental care one of its core values. A central part of the association’s mission is therefore to educate youth about the local environment, promote environmental stewardship, and encourage sustainable, nature-friendly practices and lifestyles. This is put into practice through the NGO’s animal sanctuary, the maintenance of its permaculture garden, and community-driven upcycling projects at its central space. Another key initiative is the Solidarity Project Trashop - a free shop and community space designed to divert items from landfills in a collaborative and creative way, while fostering sustainable habits among youth. Currently, the NGO is also implementing a KA2 project “Nature in Progress” and KA1 “Talking Roots”, which tackle these topics. Preservation of local culture Seulo, one of the world’s five blue zones, is renowned for its traditions, close-knit community, healthy habits, and deep knowledge of local nature - factors contributing to its residents' longer lives. Arrexini Asula strives to preserve Seulo’s rich local culture by fostering intergenerational knowledge exchange between seniors and youth. Currently, the NGO is implementing an initiative to organize nature expeditions for youth, led by the elders of Seulo. Development of rural areas Arrexini Asula is located in the village of Seulo, which is a rural area, with many of its young people living outside the village. The NGO's goal is to help shift young people's perspectives on rural areas, highlighting them as places of opportunity rather than limitations. By setting an example and focusing our efforts on developing Seulo, the association hopes to inspire a new appreciation for rural life. Currently, the association is giving its hand in organising community events and actively leveraging social media (@arrexiniasula) to showcase the appeal of rural areas, promote the NGO's work, and connect with youth. This approach makes both the association's activities and the region it serves more engaging and accessible to a wider audience. Arrexini Asula, as a young NGO, is continuing to expand its activities and programs. The association aims to establish ongoing volunteer programs and broaden its initiatives to include non-formal educational and recreational activities specifically designed for youth with autism and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The NGO’s vision is for people from all backgrounds to come to the association to volunteer, visit, and participate in inclusive and accessible educational and recreational programs while also building a kind, authentic, and environmentally conscious youth community within the village of Seulo.