Fattoria Pugliese Diffusa APS

FPD was founded in 2009, thanks to the Regional Government which granted its foundation on the basis of the activities planned for the social development of the regional rural areas. It is a non-profit regional civil organization, whose members and target groups are young and senior people. Its mission is to promote and facilitate the development of rural areas of the Puglia Region, thanks to the implementation of projects concerning legal education, prevention of offending behaviors, volunteering, social and intercultural inclusion, intergenerational learning, environment protection, sustainable development and entrepreneurship support, promotion of the importance of biodiversity, organic farming, nature and sport and outdoor activities. FPD focuses its attention on European mobility, as an opportunity for the personal development of its members (including staff members) and for the growth of local partner organizations at the International level. The main target group is youth under 35 y.o., but the organization also works with senior people. Both categories have in common the fact they are made of disadvantaged people from rural areas. FPD offers the Neet citizens several opportunities to be trained and educated at local and European level in order to enrich their curricula, enhance their skills and abilities and improve the chances for job placement or self-employment. The organization is currently running and EDUCATIONAL CENTER in Taurisano, in a building confiscated to the local criminality, where numerous activities concerning “Legal Education” of young and adult citizens are daily implemented: workshops, laboratories and seminars about legality, rule of law, digital security, ICT literacy, safe surfing, privacy, active citizenship. FPD counts 8-10 staff members (paid and volunteers), depending on the nature of the ongoing activities. Usually, the educational activities are attended by 10-15 people (seniors or youth) each, depending on several factors, such as the target group (disadvantaged, under risk of exclusion, neet, unengaged seniors, etc….), the topic (ICT basic skills, participatory democracy, legal education, European volunteering, etc...), the type of activity (local, national or international; virtual or in-person; etc..). Every year FPD provides educational activities for more than 100 learners. FPD organizes activities at local and European level: -Volunteering projects, such as European Solidarity Corps and local volunteering (for collecting rubbish, cleaning the beaches, helping older people in their daily activities, working in kindergarten and nurseries, ...). FPD also managed a Senior Volunteering project, thanks to “LLP Grundvig Senior Volunteering” funding. Youth activities, such as Youth Exchanges (both as hosting and sending organization), Youth and Democracy projects, Seminars, Round Tables, etc... The organization has both the EVS and ESC Quality Label Accreditations and it is currently hosting 2 young foreign volunteers with the ESC program. - training and educational activities for the senior citizens in basic digital education, for giving them the right skills to access online tools for having a say at the EU level and contribute to the construction of the future of the EU. -Educational and training activities for better job placement opportunities for young adults, such as Neet and migrants (we run a project financed by the Italian Ministry of Interior for training activities for refugees and asylum seekers in the agricultural sector), seniors (Training course for digital literacy). -Local initiatives for the promotion of Active Citizenship, social inclusion, fighting against racism and xenophobia, a healthy lifestyle, traditional food and culture -Photo exhibitions concerning environment and nature, traditional games, etc… -Training for trainers on topics like Project Management, social inclusion methodologies, Non-formal education, Participatory democracy, etc... -Local Thematic Events, such as short-films presentations, Earth Days, Bike-Days, Eco-Days, Green Christmas (Verde Natale), “Lu Ntartei” ( photo exhibition about children with toys and street games from 1930 to 1970), etc... -Music events on traditional folk music, Christmas events. FPD has a huge experience in: - Europe for Citizens program (about 13 projects in CSOs and Network of Towns, as applicant or partner) - Erasmus+ (6 Strategic Partnerships for youth and adults and youth exchanges, as applicant or partner and youth exchanges)