Beschreibung der Einrichtung

- Presentation of the association
Rione Verde (Green Ward) is an association of social promotion based in Faenza, Italy.
In 1959, 5 Rioni (free non-political associations, including Rione Verde) were established in Faenza, to renew the tradition of the Palio del Niballo, an event which goes back to the Manfredian period (maximum splendor of the Manfredi family), takes place during summer and consists of a competition between knights, accompanied by parades, flag-wavers, musicians etc. Rione manages a stable with 5 horses.
Rione Verde in 2021 counts about 250 members, has a board of directors with 9 elements, plus a council of wise men (control body with 5 elements), who work jointly.
Located in Faenza city center, Rione Verde manages a building of about 400 square meters, organized in the costume room, the victory room, the historical group, bar, kitchens, social restaurant etc. Part of the building is shared with the Domus, a hostel/residence with about 50 rooms.

- Objectives
The main objectives of Rione Verde are the organization and management of cultural, artistic or recreational activities of social interest; the organization and management of amateur sports activities; the association also promotes cultural initiatives, historical, recreational and sporting re-enactments for the benefit of members and all citizens.

- Motivation to get a Quality Label
Rione Verde is willing to host 2 long term volunteers, to participate in the ESC program and explore the world of international volunteering. As by statute the majority of the the activities promoted by Rione Verde are managed by active volunteers, the association lives and thrives of volunteering, promoting volunteering as a value for active citizenship and protection of cultural heritage. For this reason, it is important for Rione Verde to participate in international volunteering schemes as ESC, to add diversity, provide a concrete example of EU opportunities to the members, to enrich the life of the organization.

- Activities
Rione Verde, the Green Ward, is a historic organization in Faenza and has many activities, divided in institutional activities and cultural/folk events, social activities and bar/restaurant activities.
- Institutional activities: run the Palio trying to win it (as the statute says), a race of flags and musicians.
- Cultural/Folk events: Palio weeks (convivial evenings and entertainment in preparation for the Palio); Notte del Bisò (the night of the 6th of January, all the Rioni have stands in the main square); Via Cavour Viva (an event in the street where Rione Verde is located); Fiera di San Rocco (organized by Rione Verde through the Medieval Academy cooperative); Linguistic aperitifs.
- Social activities, with inclusion as primary goal, and active citizenship activities, projects with various stakeholders such as Genitori Ragazzi Disabili (Parents of disables children), ASL (Local Health Authority), Sì stare insieme (Yes stay together), Anmic (National association of the maimed and disabled civilians).
- Social restaurant, a project in the opening phase, with the local vocational restaurant school and local stakeholders. The first events are foreseen in summer 2022.
- A stage in the park. Rione Verde manages the Tassinari park, including a project to build a stage ("Laboratorio di idee ricostituenti"), available to everyone, with a monthly calendar with an event every day.
- International activities: Medieval dinners, Rione Verde was involved in a project with the task to organize medieval dinners in China and India, bringing a glimpse of Renaissance life. In Mexico Rione Verde participated in a project to help street children. Participation in the Folklore festival in the UK. Organization of a European week, involving sport organizations from Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Spain, France etc. and local stakeholders.

- Target groups
From children to retired people, Rione Verde is a very inclusive organization with special attention to young people who are involved in different activities such as musician group, flag-wavers, knights, parades groups, who practice all year to perform during the Palio in summer. This way, Rione Verde is a place where young people can find purpose, meaning, connect with their cultural heritage, have intergenerational dialogue with the older members of the organization, acquire soft skills such as team work etc.