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Projects · Puglia · Ugento

La Friscura

The first fully inclusive area in Marina di Ugento, in Puglia (Apulia): an equipped space entirely dedicated to welcoming people with disabilities, older people and families in financial hardship.

Area
1,948 m²
Spots
approx. 55
Opening
May 2027
Partner
Pro Loco Lido Marini

The project

A public green area that becomes a social space

The Pro Loco Lido Marini has been assigned the public green area "La Friscura" for its maintenance, care and enhancement, under an agreement approved by the Municipality of Ugento (Executive Decision no. 783 of 6 October 2025, until 31 December 2027).

Under an agreement with OmbraSociale, the Pro Loco proposes to create here the first fully inclusive area in Marina di Ugento: an equipped space dedicated to welcoming people in vulnerable situations, run with local municipalities, non-profit organisations and participating beach resorts.

The project costs the Municipality nothing: as a Benefit Corporation (Società Benefit), OmbraSociale puts part of its profits towards equipment, promotion and awareness-raising, together with volunteering by the Pro Loco and local associations, and in-kind sponsorship.

Key details

Municipality
Ugento (LE)
Location
Lido Marini
Cadastral sheet / parcel
106 / 929
Area
1,948 m²
Assignee
Associazione Pro Loco Lido Marini
Assignment
Executive Decision no. 783 of 6 October 2025, until 31 December 2027

Work in progress

The area before redevelopment

These photos show the area taken over by Pro Loco Lido Marini before the works began. Redevelopment is under way: the inclusive social space will open in May 2027, at the start of the season.

  • Eucalyptus grove with the ground covered in dry leaves.
  • Green-paved square shaded by eucalyptus trees, next to a white wooden porch; garden tools on the ground.
  • Large green-paved area among eucalyptus trees, with a ladder and garden maintenance tools.
  • Green-paved path with globe lamps and hedges, leading to a white gate.
  • Worn green paving at the foot of a row of eucalyptus trees.
  • Wooded area with dry leaves on the ground and a lamp post in the background.
  • Palm and eucalyptus trees on leaf-covered ground, near the fence.
  • Side of the white building with a small tiled area still to be restored.
  • Two-globe lamp post among the trees, with dry leaves on the ground.

Layout

Five zones, one accessible space

Indicative areas from the proposed functional site plan.

Zones of the La Friscura area with indicative size and use
ZoneAreaUse
Umbrellas and sunbeds approx. 550 m² Spots for social access
Sports and games area approx. 550 m² Leisure activities, games, adapted physical activity
Picnic area approx. 370 m² Tables, benches, shaded refreshment area
Pet area approx. 270 m² Space dedicated to pets
Kiosk and refreshments approx. 150 m² Refreshments, information and on-site staff

Umbrella and sunbed zone

The whole zone is dedicated to welcoming people

There is no minimum or maximum number of reserved spots: the whole space is available to partner organisations. Generous spacing between spots lets wheelchairs and mobility aids pass easily.

  • Accessible paths
  • Sunbeds at an easy-access height
  • Clear signage
  • Adequate shade
Area
~550 m²
Spots
~55
Sunbed places
~110
Per spot
~10 m²
umbrella, 2 sunbeds and passage space

How to get a place

Through organisations, municipalities and associations

The spots cannot be booked by the public: they are allocated by qualified organisations, recognised associations, municipal authorities and partner health and social care facilities, to ensure fairness, transparency and places allocated according to real need.

Beach resort network

When La Friscura is full

Partner beach resorts offer additional social spots. At the end of the season they receive a verifiable report of their contribution: people welcomed, spots offered, value of the contribution. No commission is charged on social spots.

Goals

What we want to achieve

  • Full social inclusion

    Free, assisted access to an equipped space for people in vulnerable situations: the whole umbrella area is dedicated to welcoming people.

  • A network with beach resorts

    Local beach resorts add social spots, extending the welcome beyond La Friscura.

  • Transparency

    Tools to monitor social impact: spots, people welcomed, communities involved.

  • Adding value to the area

    The first fully inclusive area in Marina di Ugento.

  • Sustainability

    No cost to the Municipality of Ugento.

How it works

Who does what

Pro Loco Lido Marini
Assignee of the area: green-space maintenance, on-site presence, logistics
OmbraSociale S.r.l. SB
Coordination, platform, promotion, equipment
Municipality of Ugento
Owner of the area, oversight, Social Services
Neighbouring municipalities
Referral of people in vulnerable situations
Non-profit sector
Accompanying people and volunteering
Care homes and health and social care facilities
Referral and accompaniment of residents
Beach resorts
Additional social spots in the network

Three-year plan

From 2025 to 2027

  1. 2025–2026

    Launch

    Setting up the area, approx. 55 spots, first partner organisations, first beach resorts in the network.

  2. 2026–2027

    Consolidation

    Expanding the network of beach resorts and neighbouring municipalities, first full report.

  3. 2027

    Maturity

    Replicable model, three-year report, assessment of renewing the assignment.

Life in the space

Cinema in spiaggia at La Friscura

In summer 2026 La Friscura hosted two evenings of beach cinema under the stars with the Pro Loco Lido Marini and CineMarePuglia, with free entry for people with disabilities.

Sunset on the beach at Lido Marini, with waves reaching the shore
Events

Cinema in spiaggia in Lido Marini: two evenings under the stars about the environment and inclusion

At night, the sea finds a different voice. And this summer, for two evenings in Lido Marini, we will keep it company with a screen, plenty of stories and a whole community. "Cinema in spiaggia" is back: the short festival organised by OmbraSociale together with the Pro Loco Lido Marini and CineMarePuglia, on Monday 21 July and Tuesday 25 August 2026 at La Friscura, in Lido Marini di Ugento.

Data source: project proposal "Spazio Sociale Inclusivo La Friscura — Lido Marini", Pro Loco Lido Marini and OmbraSociale S.R.L. Società Benefit, March 2026. Areas and spots are indicative.

Bring a space like La Friscura to your area

Municipalities, Pro Loco associations, other associations and beach resorts: let's build inclusive social spaces along the Italian coast together.

Work with us info@ombrasociale.it