Rome Cares Rome: 20,000 Citizens Clean Up the City
Rome, May 9 – Approximately 20,000 citizens, equipped with brooms, shears, gloves, and bags, descended upon the streets of Rome yesterday to clean up dry leaves, weeds, and abandoned waste as part of the ‘Rome Cares Rome’ initiative. Promoted by the Department of Environment, led by Sabrina Alfonsi, this fifth edition of the event witnessed record participation from various associations, neighborhood committees, sports groups, and volunteer organizations.
Extraordinary Participation for a Cleaner Rome
Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, who joined the clean-up efforts at Ponte della Musica, emphasized the extraordinary turnout. “This year, ‘Rome Cares Rome’ saw an extraordinary, record-breaking participation: 406 initiatives and more than 20,000 citizens who helped us not only clean the city but also take care of it,” said Mayor Gualtieri. He actively participated in the revitalization of the Tiber riverbanks, specifically in the skate park area frequented by young people.
A Wide Array of Activities Beyond Cleaning
The initiatives, which continued throughout Saturday, extended beyond simple cleaning and maintenance. “They also included gardening workshops and environmental and cultural walks,” explained Councilor Alfonsi. She highlighted how the event has evolved over the years, promoting a broader concept of caring for both tangible and intangible common goods. For instance, Villa Borghese hosted meetings with veterinarians to discuss animal care and welfare, while Villa Fassini organized environmental lessons for schools.
Collaboration and Community Engagement
In the morning, Alfonsi, accompanied by Mayor Gualtieri, visited the Park of Villa Flaviana with the neighborhood committee before heading to the Ponte della Musica initiative. This particular event was proposed by citizens and neighborhood committees in collaboration with the association ‘piùblu ETS,’ which promotes projects combining sustainability, environmental awareness, and active participation. Their goal is to transform shared spaces into more livable and conscious environments by involving citizens, institutions, athletes, and local communities.
The event at Ponte della Musica saw the presence of Francesca Del Bello, President of Municipality II, and all partner organizations, including Ama Roma S.p.A., Retake Roma, Legambiente Lazio, Acli, Masci, Agesci, Fai – Delegazione di Roma, Csv Lazio, Plastic Free Odv Onlus, and piùblu Ets.
‘Rome Cares Rome’: A Day of Collective Sharing
Alfonsi reiterated the transformative nature of ‘Rome Cares Rome.’ “Over time, ‘Rome Cares Rome’ has transformed, welcomed new energies, grown, and become a day of great sharing, to come together to experience public space, the streets, feel it as our own, carrying out activities that are no longer just about cleaning,” she stated. She emphasized that these actions involve associations, committees, educational communities from schools, the network of community gardens, and scout groups. “This is precisely what ‘Rome Cares Rome’ is: bringing one’s service to others, to the entire community, as a form of collective participation.”
Future Outlook and Ongoing Commitment
The success of this year’s ‘Rome Cares Rome’ underscores the strong desire of Roman citizens to actively contribute to the well-being and appearance of their city. The initiative serves as a powerful example of how community engagement can lead to tangible improvements in urban environments and foster a sense of collective responsibility. The city administration continues to support and expand such programs, aiming to make Rome a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant place for all its residents and visitors.
