In the face of the COVID-19 emergency, the Fondazione Buzzi Unicem (Buzzi Unicem Foundation) had agreed to fund a pilot, home-based monitoring study in the Casale Monferrato and Turin areas, coordinated by the Istituto Mario Negri (Mario Negri Institute).
The choice of the project is a reflection of the spirit of the Foundation and the Buzzi family to provide a quality, scientifically validated service to help the Piedmont region respond to the ongoing health emergency. 
Patients with COVID-19 symptoms were eligible for the study if their general practitioner, attending physician or the 118 center (emergency health center) had elected not to send them directly to the Emergency Room. These patients were all able to be monitored at home by a team of specifically trained and fully equipped physiotherapists, who checked their respiratory function with an oximeter and subjected them to a “walk test” on a daily basis, and conferred with their doctors if and when they should be hospitalized. 
Under the supervision of Dr. Guido Bertolini, The Crisis Unit at the Mario Negri Institute gathered and processed the data and coordinated the logistics of the entire project. 
The Buzzi Unicem Foundation provided full funding for the initiative. The project was successful with a large number of monitored cases. 

We are continuing our collaboration with the Vicarage of Este and the “Teatrando” project, which aims to develop the talents of young students in the area, by screening a short film produced by them at the Monselice plant. 
The quality of the work and the rare ability of the young performers to engage the audience in the grammar of audiovisual language in the post-show discussion sparked enthusiastic praise from the audience of students.  
As a result of this enthusiastic reaction, “Teatrando” decided to offer a showing of the short film to several other schools in Monselice.  
In this cultural event, the young students starred in the dual roles of spectator and actor, in accordance with the long-held modus operandi of the “Teatrando” project, aimed at triggering a healthy system of emulation and a process of identification. 
After the screening, the students were able to visit the plant as part of our philosophy of openness towards our communities and the local school catchment area. 

The “Augustana Contrada di Marendole” (a local association) engaged the Monselice plant in an important project known as “Artibus”, which was initiated with the goal of reinstating and developing the manual skills associated with the ancient trades and professions of the region to provide new future job prospects for young people by establishing workshops to teach goldsmithing, shoemaking, sailmaking, sculpture and making musical instruments.

Designated as the most suitable location for the Sculpture Workshop, the plant set aside an area equipped with compressed air, electricity, boulders from our Alonte quarry and all the necessary PSDs for the students and master sculptors.

The works created were exhibited in the townhall gardens on Friday, 16 October, to coincide with the 13th stage of the Giro d’Italia in Monselice.

It was an opportunity to beautify the historic center as part of a regional marketing campaign to showcase the artisan businesses and display the work that had been meticulously crafted by the students.

The Bike Park was created in September 2020 thanks to support from Buzzi Unicem, which agreed to a request from the cycling school to use a plot of land, belonging to the plant, for their sports activities, specifically cyclo-cross, cyclo-cross speed and endurance races and timed downhill races.

Buzzi Unicem has always supported local initiatives and our partnership with MC Bike Training reinforces the values of personal growth, particularly among young people who seek entertainment, friendship and individual growth through sport.

“We are delighted with this project, which further strengthens the relationship between our company and the community. Creating a bike park where children can play their sports outdoors is a very positive outcome, and the result of the synergy between Buzzi Unicem and the associations that believe in sport and young people”, stated Dorino Cornaviera, Guidonia Plant Director.

The park is located near the Formelluccia quarry on land loaned to the cycling school, and whose terrain is ideal for the jumps and tracks required by the athletes on two wheels.  

Recognized by the Italian Cycling Federation, MC Bike Training is a long-established organization in the area and plays a social role in introducing children to sport, particularly cycling, cyclo-cross and baby-cross.