A. Project environment: profile of the organisation and local community
- Legambiente local group of Prato is an association federated to Legambiente, the largest environmental organization in Italy. Its aims: protection of the environment, promotion of healthy life, safety of flora and fauna, valorisation of cultural heitage and traditions, sustainable economical deveopment
-Most of the activities of Legambiente Prato take place in Riserva naturale of Acquerino-Cantagallo near Prato and in particoular inside mountain-shelter called Rifugio Le Cave and in the Cantagallo Vistirs center. Rifugio Le Cave is at a height of 795 m. it can be reached by feet ( 45 minutes from Cantagallo ) or even with special cars. The visitors center is in the hearth of Cantagallo village and it can be reached by car or by public bus.The community of Cantagallo counts about 3000 inhabitants and it is divided in a lot of small urban areas.This community has a rich economy based on textile productions and biological agriculture (i.e chestnuts). The institution of Riserva Naturale Acquerino-Cantagallo is promoting a new eco-turisitic source which deals with revaluation of traditional products and old jobs.

In the centre of the plain stretching from Florence to Pistoia lies Prato. The chief town of the Province (about 200.000 inhabitants) is a vibrant modern city which has developed gradually but in sympathy with its medieval heart. In its walled city centre, small and compact, everything is in easy reach - fine churches, rich museums, ancient monuments. In the eastern part, modern and industrious, business and contemporary art live side by side.
B. Proposed activities for EVS volunteers
Legambiente Prato can provide Italian course and seminar in collaboration with other associations of the community; Legambiente people are experts in many different issues linked to environment and education, so that European volunteers have the chance to get in touch with many educational opportunities.
EVS volunteers have the task of supporting the staff and the national volunteers of the organisation .They help in the main activities, like the management of the Le Cave mountain shelter and the Cantagallo visitor centre as well the environmental education for schools. The activities of our organisation consists in some physical and manual tasks (firewood, cleaning natural pathways, fire prevention, horse riding with disables, etc.) and some organization and creative job in the field of education and information. The majority of the activities are in connection with children and young people, in situation where young European can have an important role of mediators and facilitators.
C. Volunteer profiles and recruitment process
Legambiente Prato looks for young volunteers with high motivation. Candidates with some scientific and or environmental backgrounds arewelcome, but also people with strng interest in open door activities are suitable for our activities, as well youngsters with with puclic relation skills.
D. Special needs (if applicable)
Staff of Legambiente Prato can counts on people with a huge experience in volunteer so we think to have the right human features to host also volunteers with fewer opportunities 8in particular social and educational deficits).



E. Risk prevention, safety and protection
Starting from the huge amount of experience gained from previous EVS projects and workcamps with volunteers aged both over and under 18, Legambiente can offer well tested conditions of hospitality and work. Possible problems originated by the lodging are solved and managed with the help of responsible staff who are dedicated to the Permanent Centre for Volunteers; the same help concerns the use of the equipment needed to accomplish the tasks of volunteers, since much of the work involves the use of manual tools and small machines for environmental jobs. Crucial to every project with Legambiente is the security and training in safe procedures to be used both during working time and daily life, with special attention towards an environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyle.

ANCHE NOI A CAVALLO (Even us on horses): Legambiente Prato in collaboration with other skilled organizations (like associations working in the item of mental diseases), created a "horse pathway". through the land of "Riserva naturale Acquerino-Cantagallo". This pathway can be also attended by blind people and other disable people.

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=42000407163