Cooperative e transizione sulle Madonie

Abstract

The Madonie mountain chain, located on the northern Sicilian coast between the Imera and Pollina rivers, hosts in its 39,679 hectares as many as 21 scattered minor historic centres, guardians of a heritage of traditions and values that constitute the identity of the places, today entrusted exclusively to the collective memory of an increasingly elderly and inactive population. Positioned between the minimum altitude of the municipality of Alimena of 218 m a.s.l. and the maximum altitude of Geraci Siculo of 1,077 m a.s.l., the small and large villages are arranged from coast to coast, far from the large urban agglomeration and service centres. Characterised by a built heritage strongly linked to local traditions of the past and a traditional way of life closely conditioned by the territorial morphological characteristics, these minor centres have a great potential for attraction and economic development that is still unexpressed. The development of community cooperatives can bring these special places back to a condition of contemporary living, foster collaboration and promote new job opportunities.