On July 30th, the town of Maiori welcomed ten young Europeans from six different countries: Italy, France, Turkey, Spain, Georgia, and Romania. They came together for the second flow of the “Make it Blue” project, organized by the ACARBIO association. This initiative is dedicated to supporting the local community through a series of activities that not only benefit the region but also foster cultural exchange and environmental awareness. 

Our week kicked off with an engaging treasure hunt designed to help us break the ice and start building connections, both within our group and with the local community. As we explored the streets of Maiori, we gathered with locals and tourists. The activity concluded with a sweet reward—a slice of tiramisù made by our coordinators. 

 

 

On our third day we started the activities with a beach clean-up. Equipped with gloves and bags, we separated trash into mixed waste, organic matter, paper, and glass to ensure proper recycling. This activity also provided an opportunity to engage with locals, sharing our mission and raising awareness about the importance of maintaining a clean and sustainable environment.

 

 

Ponteprimario, a peaceful location just ten minutes from the center of Maiori, became our next project site. Surrounded by nature and warmly welcomed by the locals, we spent time painting benches, walls, and stair railings. The locals offered us coffee and snacks as a token of their appreciation. 

In the fourth day, one of our coordinators guided us on a tour to explore the surrounding areas and immerse ourselves in the history of Maiori. This experience was particularly useful  as we are preparing to lead similar guided tours for tourists in the following weeks. In the evening, the Municipality of Maiori hosted a concert by the port. Five of our volunteers were on hand to assist with the logistics, guiding attendees, checking tickets, and ensuring everything ran smoothly. 

As our group approaches the end of our first week in Maiori, we continue to discover the city, engage with locals and tourists, and immerse ourselves in the environment—and, of course, strengthen our bonds with each other.