The Xenia Project – Building Community and Inclusion with Il Germoglio

By cooperating with il Germoglio, Xella Italy supports a local initiative near their Pontenure plant, offering people in need integrative work.

24 February, 2025

Building goes beyond construction—it’s about creating a positive impact in the communities we serve. Guided by Xella’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement, Xella Italy launched the Xenia Project. This initiative connects our employees with local communities, fostering meaningful relationships and reinforcing our commitment to social responsibility.

Partnering for positive impact

In 2024, Xella Italia partnered with Il Germoglio, a social cooperative in Piacenza active since 1983. Il Germoglio focuses on job placement for disadvantaged individuals, including people with disabilities, those recovering from addiction, and individuals reintegrating from prison. They offer opportunities across four key areas: vegetable gardening, retail of local products, restaurant services, and an educational farm.

Hands-on involvement and meaningful Experiences

Between September and October 2024, 35 Xella Italy employees from both the Pontenure plant and its headquarters volunteered alongside Il Germoglio’s staff. Spread across three days, participants engaged in:

Garden care – cultivating and maintaining the vegetable garden
In-store sales – supporting retail operations for local products
Farm care – assisting with the management of the farm

Their involvement not only provided valuable support to Il Germoglio but also offered the team a profound, hands-on experience of community service and inclusion.

Strengthening community bonds

The Xenia Project demonstrates our strategic commitment to being more than just an industrial presence. It’s about actively contributing to local well-being, building strong community ties, and promoting a culture of inclusion. It remains a testament to our ongoing dedication to community engagement.

Building Beyond Bricks

For Xella Italy, success is not solely measured by economic growth but also by its social impact. The Xenia Project embodies this philosophy, illustrating how businesses can be powerful forces for positive change. As we continue to build, we are equally committed to nurturing connections and fostering inclusive futures for the communities where we operate.

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