Verona Allocates €50M for Garda Fishermen Cooperative Headquarters
50 million: this is the amount the Verona provincial administration has decided to allocate as a contribution to the construction of the new headquarters of the Cooperativa fra pescatori di Garda.
Contribution and motivations
“The initiative approved by the Province,” explains Davide Bendinelli, from Garda and provincial assessor for Tourism, “takes into account the important role played at the inter-municipal level by the Cooperativa fra pescatori di Garda, not only as the only cooperative with effective size and economic relevance operating on the lake, but also as an association aimed at enhancing Garda’s traditional practices.
The Cooperative indeed performs a unique activity in an area with high tourism appeal like Garda. The provincial administration has thus decided to participate in the initiative to build the new headquarters of the Cooperativa fra pescatori
he adds, “by providing an exceptional contribution, because it is believed that this project can have a significant impact on the Garda community, and more generally, on the entire Benaco basin.” In fact, through the daily work of the recent “lake wolves,” the tradition of professional fishing survives on Garda, which until the advent of tourism was a vital livelihood for many riviera communities, Garda foremost among them.
Cultural activities and financial support
Not only that: the Cooperativa has often been at the forefront of cultural initiatives, promoting the publication of studies dedicated to fishing and ichthyology of Garda. For the new Cooperativa headquarters, which cost 650 million, support has also been provided by national and European grants covering about half of the costs; the remaining amount for the 27 members is nonetheless significant.
Furthermore, while fishing today can generate decent income, it still does not seem enough to support such substantial investments. Today, therefore, a new breath of fresh air is reaching the Garda Cooperative of the Province of Verona.
Project objectives and employment
“The objectives of the project presented by the Cooperativa,” concludes Assessore Bendinelli, “are undoubtedly aimed at valorizing lake fish, including through processing and a possible certification mark, to create the conditions to offer a guaranteed product with identifiable and recognizable features for consumers.
And we must not forget that, to achieve these goals, thanks to the new investment made by the Cooperativa, some jobs will be created.”
