ARIEL

Ariel is a type B social cooperative founded in 1995 in Foligno (PG), where it operates as a point of reference in the Umbrian territory for services in social agriculture, green space maintenance and sports facility management. Over the years, the cooperative has successfully diversified its activities while keeping at its core the mission of creating employment opportunities for people experiencing social and economic hardship and of offering its members and employees a place of personal and professional growth.
Ariel’s model is organised around two main areas. The first is the green area, which includes certified organic farming across approximately 10 hectares, producing vegetables, pulses and preserves sold through direct sales, e-commerce and local markets, and design, construction and maintenance services for green spaces for both public and private clients. The second is the management of sports facilities and cleaning services: the cooperative runs the Foligno Sports Hall and the bars at the municipal swimming pools in Foligno, Spello and Spoleto, and offers cleaning services for offices, municipal pharmacies and public facilities, recently expanded through a contract with AFAM.
The support from Restart Italia is directed at the development of Casale Ariel, a project involving the acquisition, renovation and enhancement of a farmhouse in the Sterpete locality of Foligno, together with the surrounding 9 hectares of agricultural land. The aim is to transform the property into a multifunctional hub integrating social agriculture, employment inclusion and personal support services, hosting a day centre for adults with disabilities, a food processing workshop, an organic produce market and other complementary economic activities.