From 3 to 18 November 2025, a group of local and international volunteers took part in a Volunteering Team of the VEIL – Corps project, funded by the European Union under the European Solidarity Corps and hosted by Association I Girasoli.

The group supported the activities of the Sunflower House (an asset confiscated from the mafia and managed by the association I Girasoli) and contributed to the reorganization and restoration of the spaces, including the creation of murals and the olive harvest. Once the olives were ready, they were taken to an olive press to obtain oil. Part of this oil was bottled, while the rest was used to make organic soap.

Some days were dedicated to learning about the mafia phenomenon and anti-mafia movements, with meetings at the Garden of Memory in Capaci, the 23 May Station Museum in Capaci, and the Bottega della Legalità in Corleone. The young volunteers also had the opportunity to meet Pino Maniaci, an anti-mafia journalist and well-known host of Telejato, a program where he publicized his campaigns against Cosa Nostra. During the meeting at the Carlo Maria Carafa school in Mazzarino, the volunteers shared their thoughts on the fight against the mafia in their own languages.  https://www.instagram.com/p/DRRU8V0jawx/

A day dedicated to environmental sustainability was also organized, during which volunteers cleaned up several public spaces together with local students and the Plastic Free association.

There were also moments of sharing different cultures and getting to know some of the guests from the association. I Girasoli, which adheres to the “SAI” network (Reception Systems).