The context
The PUR Association (Progetto Uomini Responsabili – Responsible Men Project) was founded in 2015 to address the need to prevent and combat gender-based violence in the Carrara area, working directly with perpetrators of violence to promote their responsibility and awareness. The Association also manages the local Center for Men Perpetrators of Violence (CUAV – Centro per Uomini Autori di Violenza), one of six on the list of CUAVs accredited by the Tuscany Region.
In Italy, there are approximately 90 CUAVs, distributed across nearly all regions, with a higher concentration in the North and in larger urban areas. They play a crucial role in combating domestic violence, providing victims with protection and support in collaboration with women’s shelters, and working with perpetrators to reduce the risk of recidivism and promote accountability. Despite their importance, CUAVs often operate in a context of uncertainty and scarce economic resources, which frequently leads to the risk of discontinuation and reduction of the activities and services provided.
The project
In 2025, Fondazione Marcegaglia decided to strengthen its commitment to combating gender-based violence in the Carrara area by supporting the PUR Association with a €10.000 contribution, aimed at ensuring the continuity of intake and support services for 67 beneficiaries.
To enable PUR to achieve greater financial sustainability and operational stability, in the 2026–2027 biennium Fondazione Marcegaglia has allocated an additional €20,000 in funding, intended to partially cover the remuneration, through salaried employment contracts, of two psychologists who are currently collaborating with the Association as volunteers. This intervention will also lead to an increase in the two psychologists’ weekly hours of presence at the CUAV, allowing the organisation to support a larger number of users and to respond to a growing and increasingly urgent need for support, qualified accompaniment, and effective perpetrator accountability programmes.
