A day dedicated to Elba’s third sector
The general assembly of the Elban third sector has been convened with Cesvot and the Isola d’Elba Foundation.
“Universo Elba. For a Solidarity Island” is the event that will bring together the ETS and the island’s associations on Friday, April 17, for an open discussion on the role of the Third Sector in promoting community welfare and enhancing the island’s cultural identity.
Characteristics and needs of the third sector on Elba
Volunteering on Elba is a rich and diverse sector, as revealed by the study conducted by Cesvot Universo Elba: caratteristiche e bisogni del terzo settore elbano (Quaderni, no. 98, Cesvot, 2025), conducted by the University of Pisa with Simurg Ricerche, in collaboration with the Fondazione Isola d’Elba. This study paints a picture of a widespread and vibrant third sector, capable of building relationships and responding to the population’s needs. However, it presents some critical issues, including the geographical dispersion of initiatives and the need to strengthen collaboration and exchange between organizations.
Cesvot and the Elba Island Foundation
How can we overcome fragmentation and create new opportunities for meeting and coordination, to strengthen relationships between associations and improve relations with institutions? A possible solution has been agreed upon between Cesvot and Fondazione Isola d’Elba Ets with the aim of consolidating the role of volunteering in community life. The Foundation will open a listening and counseling center for all Elban Ets at its headquarters at Viale Teseo Tesei 12.
The volunteer help desk
“The volunteer help desk,” says Paolo Balli, director of Cesvot, “will be a stable point of reference for all the island’s associations: a space for listening, guidance, and support that enhances existing energies and fosters new collaborations.”
This project, born from the synergy with the Fondazione Isola d’Elba and enriched by research, presents a vibrant and dynamic image of Elba’s third sector and points to a clear direction: investing in networks, knowledge, and participation to make the island increasingly supportive. With “Universo Elba,” we strengthen Cesvot’s concrete commitment to local communities, because supporting volunteerism means building connections, offering tools, and creating opportunities for shared growth.
Elba Island Foundation
In recent years, the Elba Island Foundation has worked to build a network of Elba associations, with the aim of pooling ideas, financial and professional resources, time, and dedication to projects of general interest.
Numerous projects have been funded by local, regional, and national calls for proposals, with many associations, businesses, and institutions as partners and supporters.
Patrizia Lupi
“The Foundation,” states Patrizia Lupi, director of the Foundation, “is an expression of the community that comes together on a series of themes involving culture, sports, healthcare, social issues, training, and education, opening a range of activities aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens. The interventions are aimed at preventing situations of hardship that can also lead to poverty and marginalization, working for social cohesion, rebuilding trust between and within people and in dialogue with institutions, and encouraging the adoption by public administrations of innovative management processes based on participatory methodologies.”
Morning in Portoferraio
The day will be divided into two parts: in the morning at 11:30 a.m. in Viale Teseo Tesei 12, at the office of the Fondazione Isola d’Elba, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new office in the presence of the authorities, citizens and the media. The office will be a point of reference for information, guidance and support, promoting communication and the dissemination of good practices.
Afternoon in Porto Azzurro
This afternoon, at 3:00 PM in Porto Azzurro, at the Teatro delle Suore, a conference will be held, featuring representatives of Elba’s volunteer work, sharing their experiences in a constructive dialogue between institutions, organizations, and citizens. The first issue of “Essere Elba. Rivista di Comunità” (Being Elba. Community Magazine), published by Movability, edited by Patrizia Lupi and Ilaria Bacherini, will be distributed. The publication will give voice and visibility to Elba’s volunteer work.
For information: Patrizia Lupi cell. 3396974753 – fondazioneisoladelba@gmail.com
Elba Universe Program
Friday, April 17, 2026, Portoferraio | Porto Azzurro
VOLUNTEERING OFFICE OPENING (11:30 a.m.)
Elba Island Foundation | Il Molino Service Center
Viale Teseo Tesei 12 int. 4, PORTOFERRAIO (LI)
The Volunteer Help Desk, promoted by the Fondazione Isola d’Elba Ets as part of its collaboration with Cesvot, was created to offer the island’s associations a point of reference for information, guidance, and support, promoting communication, disseminating initiatives, and building networks among Elba’s volunteer organizations. Institutions, associations, journalists, and citizens are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
CONFERENCE(3:00 PM)
Multipurpose Hall | Sisters’ Theatre
Via Cerboni 12, PORTO AZZURRO (LI)
In 2025, the Fondazione Isola d’Elba Ets and Cesvot began a collaboration to support Elba’s third sector. As part of this initiative, the University of Pisa and Simurg Ricerche conducted a study of the area, the results of which are collected in the volume “Universo Elba: caratteristiche e bisogni del terzo settore elbano” (Books and Journals no. 98, Cesvot). In this context, the conference provides an opportunity for institutions, organizations, and citizens to discuss the future of volunteering on Elba and the opportunities offered by the new Volunteer Help Desk.
Greetings(3:00 PM)
Maurizio Papi, Mayor of Porto Azzurro
Marco Mantovani, President of the Elba Island Ets Foundation
Fiorella Cateni, President of the Cesvot Livorno Delegation
Matteo Arcenni, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park
Interventions (3.30 pm)
Paolo Balli, director of Cesvot
The Elba Project: Cesvot’s role
Patrizia Lupi, director of the Isola d’Elba Ets Foundation
Developing networks in Elba’s third sector and the new information desk
Bruno Lo Cicero, consultant of Cesvot
Making yourself known: Elba’s volunteering and communication
Federico Massimo Ceschin, president of Simtur
Regenerative tourism that benefits communities
Volunteering Experiences on Elba Island (4:30 p.m.)
Pedalta Association aps
Together for Elba aps
Let’s meet in Diversi odv
Exodus La Mammoletta Foundation
Audience interventions and questions
Conclusions (6:00 p.m.)
Mia Diop, Vice President of the Tuscany Region
Participants will receive a copy of issue 1/2026 of the community magazine “Essere Elba” produced by the Isola d’Elba Ets Foundation.
Information and contact details:
fondazioneisoladelba@gmail.com | Patrizia Lupi +39 339 6974753 – patlupi@gmail.com
Volunteer help desk – information and opening hours:
fondazioneisoladelba@gmail.com | Ilaria Bacherini +39 331 3111202