What is Progetto Abito (the Dress Project)? How did it start and how did it evolve? What is your role?
Progetto Abito was created with the aim of combating poverty and social exclusion, guaranteeing everyone the right to adequate and dignified clothing.
It was launched in 2019 with the idea of renewing the historic clothing distribution service of the Società di San Vincenzo de Paoli of Turin, thanks to the contribution of the PON Metro 2014-2020 call for social innovation of the City of Turin.
In the Abito social emporium, clothes are a tool to generate social value and stimulate active citizenship actions within the community, with a view to social, environmental and economic sustainability.
The three main activities of the project are:
- the collection and distribution of used clothes donated by citizens;
- a system based on reciprocity, in which those who have received clothes can give their time and skills to the community in return;
- a popular tailor’s shop for the regeneration of used clothes, which will allow vocational training and job placement.
In order to guarantee the financial sustainability of the project, the clothes not distributed and the fashion collections produced by the popular tailoring shop are sold at auctions and fashion shows.
In line with the aims of the association, the Project is supported by the contribution of volunteers and all the citizens who, by donating and buying clothes, help to sustain the social objectives of the Project.
In March 2021 the incubation period of the Project ends and we are looking for new partners and supporters to carry on the activities!
My name is Giorgio Ceste, I was a volunteer in the association for years and then, together with Guido Bagnoli, I conceived and founded this new Project. Now Abito has become a job for me.
What most distinguishes your activity? How does this impact on the city where you live, Turin, and on your country?
Abito proposes a system that aims at social, environmental and economic sustainability:
SOCIAL – Because it overcomes welfarist dynamics, enhances people’s dignity and stimulates their active participation in the community through the sharing of space, time and skills.
ENVIRONMENTAL – Because it reduces waste: it reuses, regenerates and exchanges used clothing, as part of a zero-kilometre supply chain that uses local resources and sustainable transport.
ECONOMIC – Because the fundraising events contribute to the project’s self-sufficiency and raise awareness of the values of reuse, upcycling and social commitment.
Which three adjectives would you use to define your activity as a local hero?
Circular, generative, convivial.
Do you know any other local heroes like you that you would like to suggest?
The culture shop https://www.spacciocultura.it/