When businesses, non-profit organizations, and local communities come together around shared goals, projects emerge and create tangible impact at a local level.
Such is the case with Dall’Orto dei Sensi alla cucina del Gusto (from the Garden of the senses to the Kitchen of taste), a clear example of how collaboration between diverse stakeholders can foster meaningful opportunities for social inclusion.

A project where innovation meets inclusion

An initiative by Cooperativa Sociale Gèrico of Novara, that is supported by a network including API Donna, Casa È, and Fondazione De Agostini. It is based at L’Orto in Cucina in Novara, an innovative space that brings together social housing and urban farming.

Here, social agriculture becomes a powerful tool for training and employment inclusion, offering structured pathways toward autonomy and professional development for people facing social and economic hardship. Through hands-on activities and experiential workshops, participants are guided toward personal and vocational growth.
At the heart of the project is the healing garden, a tactile and aromatic garden specifically designed to stimulate the senses of people with physical and cognitive disabilities.
It promotes well-being and learning through direct contact with nature.

From garden to table: discovery and togetherness

On April 12th a special event gave supporters the opportunity to witness the initiative’s impact firsthand. The program included a guided tour of the gardens and greenhouses, followed by a shared dinner.

Mara Galli, CEO of Magic and board member of API Donna Novara, VCO, Vercelli, and Valsesia, shared her vision:

I believe initiatives like this represent an effective model of collaboration among different players. A tangible example of how we can build networks that generate lasting impact.

When social responsibility becomes culture

In initiatives like this one, social commitment proves that it can go beyond the technical aspect, becoming part of the corporate culture, fostering active relationships, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to the community.