Abstract

Employment support is an intervention model in favor of people with mental fragilities. The passage for more or less prolonged periods in protected work contexts can become significant if connected to relationships that take their cue from the needs of the recipients instead of those of the offerors. Getting over the normative constraints, the effectiveness of this model has been shown in Italy with work rehabilitation programs which have found development with the activation of a complex network, with different categories in place. Hence the case study on the «Orti Storti project», carried out in Sardinia with a partnership between public bodies and the third sector, with the aim of involving people with mental disabilities in social farming activities. The results show that the recovery of the traditional agriculture, with its new social functions, even before producing food, serves to regenerate community relations. The case study highlights the ways in which the public and the third sector bodies can create networks, furthermore preparing the ground for numerous opportunities.