COpAPS is considered a pioneer in social farming in Italy. Around 40 years ago, a group of family members, part of Bologna’s chapter of Anffas (a national association for people with intellectual and relational disabilities), formed COpAPS, along with a group of workers. This was also made possible by the socio-political institutions, which, at the time, were promoting the rights of disabled people, released from mental health institutes.
COpAPS which stands for “Cooperative for Social and Productive Activities” is the acronym that synthesizes the original mission, when anticipating the intent of law 381, which was to be released in 1991. The tutoring and support of disabled young people via training courses, sheltered employment and job placement were obtained through the implementation of agricultural and social activities, as well as art and craft workshops.
Today, COpAPS continues to pursue the objective of integrating persons with disabilities into the workforce, operating in three different sectors: park maintenance and gardening, organic fruit and vegetable production, cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants. We also implement a series of workshops aimed at adults with various degrees of disabilities, called “Percorsi Verdi - green paths”, integrated in the farm restaurant “Il Monte”.
The innovative approach has led COpAPS to broaden its horizons to encompass issues closely related to its agricultural multifunctionality, community and environmental services as well as renewable energy, by installing photovoltaic systems in the two locations (“Ca 'del Bosco” and “Il Monte”). Our facilities have furthermore earned OHSAS 18001: 2007 certification for superior workplace health and safety management systems.