Bees4Future project
FOMAS S.p.A., in collaboration with PASO Social Cooperative and with the support of the Province of Lecco, presents "EcoCampus Bees4Future": a "formative island" that combines social innovation, environmental sustainability, and work inclusion.
The project arises from FOMAS S.p.A.'s desire to transform corporate social responsibility into concrete action, valuing human capital and protecting the environment. In agreement with the Province of Lecco's targeted placement and in collaboration with PASO Social Cooperative, the project is part of the active policies provided by Law 68/99 and develops through a two-year program involving six people with disabilities, three per year.
An Island between Gardens and Bees for an Inclusive Future
The EcoCampus Bees4Future provides for the creation of two training paths:
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Horticultural production at the Galileo Park, a social garden in Casatenovo, managed through co-planning between the Administration and PASO Cooperative;
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Urban beekeeping in the Montevecchia and Curone Valley Park, where FOMAS is already present with a sustainability project since 2022, which included the installation of a company apiary in collaboration with the Curone Park and Apicoltura Urbana.
Through practical and theoretical activities, participants will acquire recognized professional skills as Agricultural Operators and Beekeepers, in line with the Lombardy Region's Professional Standards Framework (QRSP).
The most innovative aspect of the project is the "change of perspective": the goal is for the beneficiaries to become educators for FOMAS employees and their families after completing their training, participating in events dedicated to biodiversity and the fundamental role of bees in the ecosystem.
A Triple-Impact Project: Social, Environmental, and Corporate
The project is part of the broader corporate campaign "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Diversity Defines Us, Inclusion Guides Us", launched in June 2024, which involves the entire company population on topics such as gender inclusion, disability, generational diversity, and ethnic diversity.
Through shared management between FOMAS and PASO Cooperative – which will ensure support from a multidisciplinary team composed of tutors, technical coordinators, Human Resources representatives, and Health, Safety, and Environment professionals – the Formative Island will also be a tool for developing a new social sustainability policy: from fruit and vegetable boxes for employees to the creation of corporate Christmas gifts.
A Look to the Future
The project will conclude with a personalized work insertion path, thanks to consolidated partnerships with the territory: from the agreement ex art. 14 with PASO Cooperative to inclusion in the Lecco Agro-Food Chain networks and local agricultural companies.
"EcoCampus Bees4Future is a project we deeply believe in. The inclusion of people with fragility within a company like ours, with particularly articulated and specialized production, is a complex challenge – and not always easy to overcome, due to multiple factors. However, this new project is shaping up as a promising initiative to overcome these obstacles, with the goal of generating concrete job opportunities. An initiative that returns value to the territory and creates a virtuous circle between company, environment, and community." declared Roberto Cutuli, CEO of FOMAS SpA.
