Goel: Calabrian farmers challenging the 'Ndrangheta

Redeeming the weakest by creating opportunities. This is the goal with which the  GOEL cooperative group, whose name in Hebrew means precisely “ransom”.

In 2003 a community of people, businesses and social cooperatives from Locride started a journey together with Monsignor Giancarlo Maria Bregantini, bishop known for his commitment against the 'ndrangheta.

The group's goal is to provide concrete support to those who oppose the oppressive nature of crime by working for social change. In just over fifteen years, the cooperative group has seen the creation of several organizations within it to support those social groups most in need of "redemption."

GOEL CALABRIA COOPERATIVE GROUP

The first step in fighting illegality is to implement initiatives that involve the entire community. For this reason, GOEL carries out real work of social promotion e active opposition to the 'ndrangheta. This is achieved thanks to a community of people who work every day to demonstrate that through theethics It's possible to address one of the region's challenges. The project extends beyond Calabria thanks to an informal North-South network established in 2008 to prevent and combat mafia infiltration into the economy and society.

Networking allows hundreds of people to not feeling alone in the face of threats from the underworld being able to count on a cooperative group that is on their side. GOEL has in fact also created a solidarity fund to compensate the damages suffered by members who were victims of attacks.

GOEL BIO

In the local development sector, the cooperative group has promoted numerous projects including GOEL Bio, a brand that brings together organic farms that fight against local crimeMany members of the agricultural cooperative have suffered threats and damage from the 'Ndrangheta, yet they have continued with determination. Through a broad mobilization and an effective cooperation strategy, the GOEL Bio producers have managed to resist and recover from the attacks. Not only that, but through the reconstruction of the spinneret and the elimination of intermediaries, they receive a fair delivery price, above the market average. The quality of certified organic products and the fight against gangmastering are guaranteed by the adoption of rigorous ethical and anti-contamination protocols. This allows farmers to obtain a fair and sustainable price for their products while respecting workers' rights.

TO KNOW MORE: Goel and the "Resettlement in the South" project, which creates integration through participation and meritocracy.

GOEL BIO AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Each GOEL Bio member adopts a protocol that protects the work and quality standards of the supply chain, which is conceived as a natural cycle where everything is valued and transformed into a resource.

The The circular economy plays a central role in the project, as demonstrated by the citrus processing process. The portion of the harvest that isn't suitable for table fruit becomes the raw material for jams and fruit juices, while the residue from the juice pressing becomes the "pastazzo." Essential oils are then extracted, which, together with organic olive oil, form the ingredients for a line of organic, eco-dermocosmetics. A virtuous cycle that gives a "second chance" to the human and natural resources involved in a project that brings hope to an entire region.