Eurospital Volunteers and Local Community Organisations
Solidarity and sustainability: a core commitment of Eurospital, also reflected in its corporate volunteering initiatives.
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Once again this year, the Eurospital team has dedicated time during working hours to participate in social and environmental projects supporting four volunteer organisations operating in the Trieste area, where Eurospital was founded and has continued to grow.
Introduced in 2024 to mark the 76th anniversary of Eurospital’s foundation, this corporate social responsibility initiativewas enthusiastically embraced by employees, who contributed their time and practical assistance to the local community, further strengthening the company’s ties with the region.
For the Eurospital team, the initiative represents an opportunity to foster a corporate culture grounded in solidarity, while also providing employees with a chance to recharge during the working day by collaborating with colleagues outside the traditional office environment.
“Last year, 170 hours were dedicated to corporate volunteering, a level of active participation of which we are extremely proud. This year, we selected four projects addressing issues that are particularly close to our hearts: the environment, animal welfare, and the social inclusion of vulnerable individuals,” explains Giulia Kropf, Chief Executive Officer and Technical Director of Eurospital.
“Participation in these volunteering activities is tangible evidence of how our employees embody our corporate values in their daily lives, reflecting Eurospital’s ongoing commitment to supporting numerous non-profit organisations operating in the fields of health, environmental protection, and culture. Our heartfelt thanks go to all Eurospital volunteers!”
WWF Project: From the Karst Plateau to the Sea – Exploring and Protecting the Miramare Marine Protected Area (MPA)
The Miramare Marine Protected Area (MPA) is a haven of marine biodiversity located just outside Trieste, at the foot of Miramare Castle Park. Recognised by UNESCO as a reserve in 1973 for its harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, the Miramare MPA now protects a total of 120 hectares of marine biodiversity.
The protected area is also home to the Marine Biodiversity Centre (BioMa), an environmental interpretation centre offering visitors an immersive experience that explores marine ecosystems from the sea surface to the depths of the Gulf of Trieste.
Accompanied by WWF guides, Eurospital volunteers followed the historic “Sentiero Natura” (Nature Trail), which connects the Karst Plateau to Miramare Park, collecting litter along the trail network and from the beach within the park.
Following the clean-up activities, WWF staff organised an educational session to raise awareness of marine litter and microplastic pollution, including practical laboratory activities involving samples of waste collected by the volunteers.
ENPA Project: Maintaining the Farneto Wildlife Sanctuary to Protect Local Fauna
Founded in 1871, ENPA (Ente Nazionale Protezione Animali – Italian National Animal Protection Agency) rescues thousands of abandoned animals and animals in distress every year, regardless of species, providing shelter and care within its facilities.
The Trieste branch, which operates 365 days a year, comprises 400 square metres of indoor facilities, including areas for animal care, recovery, accommodation, and administrative offices.
The organisation also manages the Farneto Wildlife Sanctuary (Oasi del Farneto), an 80,000-square-metre outdoor area dedicated to the rehabilitation and protection of wildlife, supervised outdoor environments for domestic animals, and educational play areas for schoolchildren.
Working alongside ENPA staff, Eurospital volunteers carried out maintenance activities throughout the sanctuary, helping to restore and improve green spaces through hedge and tree pruning, removal of branches and plant debris, arrangement of straw bundles in animal shelters, and redevelopment of the rabbit enclosure through the installation of protective netting against birds of prey.
As part of a project dedicated to turtles, Eurospital volunteers also assisted with recording and counting the animals, cleaning their shells, and maintaining their pond.
The team additionally contributed to local reforestation efforts by planting several fruit trees.
Comunità di San Martino Project: Promoting Social Inclusion and Interaction Among Vulnerable Individuals
Founded in 1973 by Father Mario Vatta, Comunità di San Martino develops programmes focused on providing support, assistance, and a welcoming environment for individuals experiencing social and economic hardship.
The organisation offers temporary accommodation to people experiencing homelessness, facilitates employment opportunities for unemployed individuals, and provides rehabilitation programmes for those facing psychological and social difficulties. It also supports young people through prevention initiatives and educational reintegration programmes.
Eurospital volunteers participated in “Snodo”, an important social inclusion initiative designed to support vulnerable individuals by creating opportunities for shared experiences, including excursions, walks, and other group activities aimed at encouraging communication and interpersonal relationships.
Volunteers and programme participants took part in an excursion to Barbana Island, located in the Grado Lagoon, where they shared meaningful moments of dialogue, connection, and mutual understanding.
Goffredo de Banfield Association Project: Raising Awareness of Frailty in Older Adults
The Goffredo de Banfield Association, based in Trieste, is committed to raising awareness of the challenges associated with frailty in older adults and improving their quality of life. The organisation provides free practical and psychological support to older individuals and their caregivers.
Every year, on the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Month, the association organises a range of awareness-raising initiatives, including “La Foresta Viola” (The Purple Forest).
This symbolic installation, consisting of a small forest decorated in purple, aims to raise awareness of the loss of memory and personal experiences caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions associated with dementia.
For the second consecutive year, Eurospital volunteers helped share these moving messages with the wider community by encouraging passers-by to write down their personal memories on specially prepared purple cards and hang them from the trees.
The volunteers also worked alongside the de Banfield team to assist with the organisation and management of the Purple Forest initiative.