Who is behind RETHINKABLE?
A group of Italian and Slovenian partners – the NGO CVCS (Gorizia), ProDES FVG, the Universities of Udine, Trieste and Nova Gorica, Legambiente FVG, the Association for Degrowth, the scientific unit ZRC SAZU (Nova Gorica) decided to realise a cross-border Festival that could be a place of knowledge, meeting and growth among people and experiences that are experimenting other ways of doing economy.
Along the way, other realities approached and collaborated in the organisation of the event: RIES – Italian Network for Solidarity Economy, the NGO Fairwatch (Rome), the Arci Gong club of Gorizia, the provincial coordination of Libera Gorizia, Xcenter of Nova Gorica and GO!2025. Media partners are Altreconomia and Comune.info.
The project is realised with the support of the FVG Region.
The story so far
In its early editions, the festival was successfully promoted by PRODES FVG, the operational association of the Common Goods and Solidary Economy Fund of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Thanks to the dedication and passion of PRODES, the festival exceeded all expectations, quickly growing beyond initial forecasts. This rapid growth made it necessary to rethink the organizational structure to ensure adequate support for the ambitious expansion plans of ReThinkable.
In this context, CVCS stepped forward as the ideal partner, bringing with it extensive experience in project management, a solid structure, and shared enthusiasm in supporting ReThinkable’s mission, with a vision aligned with the festival’s future goals.
CVCS
CVCS – Centro Volontari Cooperazione allo Sviluppo
CVCS is a non-governmental organization (NGO) registered in the National Register of Third Sector Organizations (RUNTS) of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and in the list of Civil Society Organizations (OSC) established by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
In line with its Statute, CVCS designs and implements co-development projects in various parts of the world, employing experts, cooperants, and volunteers. It also proposes parallel initiatives for information, training, and awareness-raising on the local territory.
CVCS collaborates with schools of all levels to implement Global Citizenship Education (ECG) activities through thematic paths, classroom workshops, and teacher training courses.
It is a member of FOCSIV – Federation of International Christian Volunteering Organizations, Italy’s largest network of Christian organizations for international cooperation and volunteering.
It is also a member of AOI – Association of Italian Organizations for International Cooperation and Solidarity.
Since 2013, CVCS has been part of the Forum for Common Goods and Solidary Economy of Friuli Venezia Giulia, which aims to promote the culture of solidarity and sustainability in the region’s development.
Objectives of the Association
CVCS is committed to promoting social, economic, and environmental justice, with a particular focus on solidarity and volunteering. The organization works on international cooperation projects addressing issues such as education, mental health, social reintegration, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups. It also offers opportunities for training and involvement through internships and volunteer activities, encouraging young people to participate in solidarity initiatives.
ProDES
ProDES FVG – Promotion of Solidary Economy District Communities of Friuli Venezia Giulia
ProDES FVG is a social promotion association (APS) established in 2016 as the operational arm of the “Forum for Common Goods and Solidary Economy of FVG.” This coalition of over 40 entities made possible the creation and implementation of the regional law 23 March 2017, n.4, “Rules for the Valorization and Promotion of Solidary Economy.”
Among the association’s aims is to “promote the culture of conviviality in social and economic relations and environmental protection” and “to promote the creation of solidary economy district communities and district and supra-district production chains to support local production and employment.” To contribute to these aims, ProDES FVG organizes public conferences, training and consultancy activities, project development, and dissemination of educational materials, in cooperation with public and private institutions.
Among the main cultural activities promoted and organized by ProDES FVG are the events “Solidary Economy Day of FVG,” held in Udine in 2018 and Tolmezzo in 2019, both funded by the regional law n.4 of 23 March 2017. In 2020, the event was held online within the dissemination and training project “Seeds of Justice,” co-promoted by a network of local non-profit organizations.
From 2017 to 2021, ProDES FVG organized and co-organized numerous outreach events, such as conferences, seminars, meetings, guided tours, and theater performances to raise awareness on urgent issues such as the relationship with the environment, common goods, participatory democracy, experiences of social and solidary economy, and the positive role of communities on a local, national, and international level.
