3Bee and Dragonfly Foundation together for Back to School

The return to school represents a growing economic challenge for Italian families every year. In recent years, the purchase of school supplies and textbooks has become a veritable luxury, with price increases that do not even spare students' basic necessities. According to an estimate by Federconsumatori, spending on school supplies per student, excluding books, amounts to almost €650 this year, a 6.6% increase compared to 2023. This makes school expenditure one of the most expensive items in household budgets.

In this context and within the framework of the partnership started in 2023 with Fondazione Libellula Impresa Sociale, 3Bee supports the "Back to School"project, with the aim of emphasising once again the importance of an interdisciplinary vision of sustainability, which integrates the environmental dimension with the social one. For each tree or shrub adopted, from among those selected for the initiative (marked on the website using the Fondazione Libellula logo), 1 euro will be donated to Fondazione Libellula, in order to help families in difficulty and allow the purchase of school supplies, enabling students to return to school in an equitable and inclusive manner. The initiative ends on 1 December 2024.

Background photo - Libellula Foundation

Fondazione Libellula, which has always focused on gender issues, recognises that gender is not the only level of discrimination that exists. In order to build an inclusive society, in which everyone has equal rights and opportunities, it is crucial to address other forms of discrimination as well, including those related to equality and inclusion in schools. Access to school without discrimination and the availability of the same tools for all students are essential to ensure equity and inclusion. The Back to School project aims precisely at ensuring that every student has the tools they need to get through school without inequality. A first distribution of school materials by the Fondazione Libellula to families attending the Spazio Libellula took place between 9 and 10 September, but the project will continue throughout the school year, as the need for materials does not end with the return to school.

The horn and the coalmakers' ginestra are the trees involved in the initiative because of their strong symbolism related to creativity and resilience. Indeed, these nectariferous trees embody the ability to adapt and thrive in difficult conditions. The orno, able to grow on poor soils, symbolises the ability to transform difficulties into opportunities for growth. In addition, the orno is known for producing a sugary substance called manna, which has important medicinal properties: this is why it is also known as the 'manna ash'. The coalman's broom, characterised by its brilliant yellow flowers, grows mainly on dry, rocky terrain and is a pioneer species, i.e. it readily colonises habitats where no plant species are present or where they have been destroyed by a fire.

Record photo - Dragonfly Foundation

The Dragonfly Foundation's 'Back to School' project helped as many as 60 families in need last year, when 3Bee was not yet involved in the initiative, but for the new school year the aim is to exceed this number and do more. From this year 3Bee supports the project, sharing its values and objectives: adopt a tree or nectariferous shrub - Orno or Ginestra dei Carbonai - on the website it will be possible - until 1 December 2024 - to make a concrete contribution not only to the environment but also to the reduction of social inequalities, allowing male and female students to return to school with all the necessary materials, benefiting from equal opportunities for learning and growth. To date, Fondazione Libellula has already collected 150 kits, but the collection will continue throughout the school year, with the aim of distributing new materials also thanks to 3Bee's contribution. For more information, contact us at info@3bee.com.