PROGETTO SUR ONLUS

What the Progetto Sur does:
It is a non-profit organization, founded with the objective of fighting against all forms of poverty and contributing the growth of society through supporting locally based Argentine organizations.

Why the Progetto Sur does it:
The Argentine economic crisis of 2001 left the country in ruins once again, and brought to the attention a group of Argentines living in Rome that their home country faced problems that were not being adequately addressed by the government. They, along with a group of concerned Italian citizens, decided to work together to look for ways to help the Argentine citizens that were suffering because of the economic and political crisis.

Where the Progetto Sur works:
Progetto Sur was founded as a non-profit organization in Rome in November of 2003. Its membership includes Italians and Argentines with experience in both the creative arts and social assistance programs.

How the Progetto Sur works:
Progetto Sur believes that education one of the principal tools for working against social and economic marginalization, in that it allows people to discover their own worth and live with dignity. To this end, we work in various initiatives related to literacy and professional skills, in many cases working directly with some of the indigenous groups that have been hardest hit. We are also working on the establishment of art centers in areas that have been excluded from government-sponsored development

Progetto Sur also organizes cultural activities in Rome that are used to finance these projects. Periodic gatherings are held in which large numbers of people participate in a variety of artistic activities, including visual arts, music, and theater, all with the objective of furthering the development of global awareness and cooperation.

Public works completed by the Proggeto Sur:
The first initiatives were organized in 2002, and involved the collection and donation of clothing which was then sent to Buenos Aires by container ship. This clothing was then distributed to indigenous communities in the provinces of Santa Fe, Chubut, and in the public work centers run by PaeByT (the Literacy and Work Program) of Buenos Ayres
E-mail: paebytadultos@yahoo.com.ar

Economic contributions were also made to the Mothers, Grandmothers, and Families of the Plaza de Mayo, in order to assist in their educational programs.
Additional economic assistance for the construction of a cultural center and the donation of a VW truck was provided to the Asociación 11 de Octubre, which includes several different Mapuche Indian communities.
Logistical and economic support was also provided to the representatives of ZANON ceramics factory (an employee-owned business), while they were in Italy.