| Work Detail |
Famed since antiquity for its great wealth and luxury, Sybaris was one of the richest and most important cities of Magna Grecia, located between the mountains and the sea in the largest lowland region of Calabria in the toe of Italy. Over the millennia is was buried without a trace in the silt of the Crati delta alluvial plain. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that archaeologists were able to rediscover the ruins of the 2,800-year-old Greek city. Sybaris is one of the most important archaeological sites in southern Italy today but its full potential has yet to be realised. The Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage is undertaking two major science and tourism projects to preserve and rejuvenate the site. Worth a combined €2 million, the first involves the modernisation of the Sybaris Museum; the second will allow visitors access to a recently discovered Roman-era religious temple. The renovations will not only preserve an invaluable historic site but?—?the locals hope?—?will bring much needed economic opportunity to the area. Calabria has the 3rd highest youth unemployment rate in the EU at almost 60%. “For years now citizens have perceived public works as useless and a waste of money…now I have a chance to have a say in what is happening and what the government is doing.” Alfonso, Civic Monitor Given the importance of the project, ActionAid Italy and local communities in the area have been monitoring the public procurement process using an Integrity Pact for more than a year now. The aim of such a pact is to allow NGO and citizen monitoring of big public contracts in order to ensure that the money is used efficiently and appropriately in the public interest. As participation and accountability expert at ActionAid Italy, I have the privilege of working with these civic monitors and bringing their voices to the table. |
