by InTrieste
Interview: Trieste Councilor for Public Safety, Caterina de Gavardo
The City of Trieste has joined the regional health authority ASUGI’s “Benessere Organizzativo” (Organizational Well-Being) program, becoming the first municipality in Friuli Venezia Giulia to take part in the Workplace Health Promotion(WHP) initiative. The project aims to encourage healthy habits, physical activity, and inclusive practices across workplaces, beginning with the S. Sebastiano Police Headquarters.
At a press conference held Thursday at the S. Sebastiano barracks, city officials including Councillor for Public Safety Caterina de Gavardo, Councillor for Human Resources Stefano Avian, Police Commander Walter Milocchi, Human Resources Director and Disability Manager Manuela Sartore, and occupational physician Federico Ronchese presented the details of the initiative.
The WHP project, launched by ASUGI in April 2024, seeks to transform work environments into spaces that promote health, well-being, and awareness. Trieste’s Local Police headquarters, where roughly 280 people work or visit daily, will serve as the first testing ground.
“The program is not only about encouraging healthy lifestyles, but also about making them accessible within the workplace,” said Councillor de Gavardo. “We are proud that our headquarters was chosen as the starting point for this initiative, which will also reach the citizens who interact with us every day.”
The project focuses on three main areas: promoting active lifestyles, creating a smoke-free environment, and fostering inclusion for employees with disabilities or chronic conditions.
Under the active lifestyle component, motivational posters, stairway stickers, and flyers highlighting the benefits of physical movement have been installed throughout the building to encourage employees to use stairs instead of elevators.
The anti-smoking campaign includes educational materials, prevention courses, and access to cessation support services. Two information sessions, led by Dr. Ronchese, are scheduled for November 12 and December 10. The city is also drafting a new anti-smoking regulation that would extend existing bans to e-cigarettes and introduce designated outdoor smoking areas.
The inclusion and disability support segment builds on the city’s ongoing work in accessibility. Employees can contact the disability manager via a dedicated email address to request workplace accommodations, report architectural barriers, or seek assistance. A section of the city’s internal portal is also devoted to accessibility resources and inclusive practices.
“Promoting healthy lifestyles means caring for both individuals and the environment in which they work,” said Sartore. She emphasized that the initiative includes practical measures, such as manager training on workplace inclusion and health communication.
Councillor Avian, whose department coordinated the city’s participation, described Trieste’s involvement as “the first step in a long-term effort” to make municipal offices healthier and more sustainable. “We hope this model will soon extend to all departments of the city government,” he said.
Dr. Ronchese noted that the concept of health has evolved beyond the absence of illness. “Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being,” he said. “Since most of us spend a large part of our day at work, the workplace must become a microcosm where well-being can flourish.”
The City of Trieste’s participation in the WHP program marks a significant step toward integrating wellness and inclusivity into public administration, with plans to expand the initiative to other municipal offices in the coming year.
