GDA’s surplus pallets are transformed, in the hands of the Eris Social Cooperative – “The Butterfly Effect”, into large wooden play structures for local families and, for some young people facing difficulties, an opportunity to learn a trade. We discuss this with Michele Sbrana.
Eris Social Cooperative – “The Butterfly Effect” was founded in 2015 by four professionals with deep roots in the Trentino region. Can you tell us how the project came about and what the ‘Effetto Farfalla’ in your name means to you?
The co-operative was born out of a desire to devote ourselves exclusively to educational and social projects that were truly close to our hearts and in which we felt genuinely competent, free from impositions from above. The four founders wanted to get personally involved in what they believed in.
The name ‘The Butterfly Effect’ captures precisely this intention: to do small things that can, however, generate a wide-ranging impact. And that is exactly what has happened: we started with modest projects, and over time have gone on to organise increasingly larger educational and social events and initiatives.
Your activities range from working with children to supporting families, from organising events to community development projects, involving dozens of volunteers and hundreds of people every year. How does this commitment play out in practice, and which achievements make you most proud?
We put an enormous amount of effort into every event and every project. As we are a very small organisation, responsibility for what we achieve is shared across the entire operational team: nobody delegates; we all put ourselves on the line, right at the forefront.
We are proud of every initiative, from the Nonno Berto summer camp to the Eureka socio-educational centre, from projects dedicated to vulnerable children to community events. It is hard work, but our professional skills complement each other very well, and this enables us to identify the community’s needs quickly and responsively.
On your website, you place great emphasis on the original meaning of the term ‘educate’, as the ability to bring out the best in every person. How does this vision guide your day-to-day work and the projects you carry out?
It guides us constantly: it is no coincidence that ‘educate’ is our key word. We are, first and foremost, educators, and this is the ultimate meaning of our profession. We seek to foster well-being and personal growth in people, both through structured interventions and through moments of joy and serenity to be shared with their families.
How did the collaboration with GDA come about, and what convinced you to develop a project together to repurpose wooden pallets?
It came about almost by chance. It was one of our volunteers who introduced us to GDA: we presented our project and were welcomed straight away, with great openness.
The wooden pallets that GDA discards are transformed, in your hands, into children’s toys. Could you describe how this recycling and transformation process works, from the waste raw material to the finished product?
The idea came from one of our founders, Michele (who isn’t one of the cooperative’s two directors). As well as being a highly skilled educator, he’s also someone who’s able to create objects and furniture from recycled materials.
Our ‘giant toys’ stem from a simple desire: to entertain children and families with simple games, but on a giant scale. And what material lends itself better to this idea than wood?
The work is time-consuming, but it brings immense satisfaction. In some cases, it even becomes a training opportunity for young people: on several occasions, young people referred by social services or schools – those at risk of dropping out of school or of social exclusion – have worked alongside Michele.
Building a play structure, taking part in the creative process, learning to use carpentry tools: all this has provided new skills to young people who were losing their way.
GDA and Eris share a strong connection with the Trentino region and a focus on sustainability. Which values do you feel are most common to both organisations, and why do you believe that an industrial manufacturer and a social cooperative can ‘speak the same language’?
Definitely a focus on family, young people and sustainability. We are two very different organisations, it’s true, but that hasn’t stopped us from finding common ground.
On the one hand, there is GDA’s openness and generosity in making surplus materials available; on the other, the ability of our colleague Michele and his helpers to transform material destined for disposal into beautiful and fun objects.
This collaboration paves the way for a virtuous model of the circular economy and social impact. How do you envisage the relationship with GDA evolving over the coming years, and what new projects would you like to see emerge?
It is certainly an unusual collaboration, given the different legal statuses of the two partners, but this places no limits on how the relationship might develop.
At the moment we do not have any specific plans in mind, but we like to imagine that the two organisations could become long-term partners. And I am certain there will be plenty of opportunities to reflect together on new forms of collaboration.
