Burberry supports community cohesion in Tuscany
01/11/2017
The project is in line with Burberry Group’s agenda to support one million people in the communities that sustain the wider luxury industry.
As garment and leathergoods production has come under threat, the region has faced increasing levels of poverty, youth unemployment and economic migration.
Roberto Barbieri, director of Oxfam Italia, said: “Poverty and social exclusion are huge problems in Italy, with one in four people at risk. One person in 13 lives in absolute poverty. This means they do not have enough food, heating or proper clothes. We are talking about 4.74 million people, and the young are particularly badly affected. This worrying situation in clear to see in the Florence region, where one young person in three between the ages of 15 and 24 does not have a job. Lack of access to community services including healthcare, education and training are common.”
The programme, which will run until 2022, will develop new and expand existing community centres and establish a network of “community facilitators”. The centres provide support and access to services related to health and employment.
Leanne Wood, a trustee of The Burberry Foundation and chief people and corporate affairs officer at Burberry Group, said: “Oxfam’s investment in community centres and educational programmes are vital in helping the local communities, who play such a vital role in the luxury and fashion industries, come together and have the tools to build a bright and prosperous future.”
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