Spring dinner for Lebanon: AVSI organizes event in Castiglione Olona

Context

TL;DR

• AVSI event
• Lebanon aid
• May 9 2026

Key facts

• Data: 9 maggio 2026
• Luogo: Castiglione Olona
• Organizzatore: AVSI Foundation
• Donazione: 100 euro a persona
• Obiettivo: Sostegno alle comunita libanesi
• Collaborazione: Fondazione Mediolanum
• Registrazione: Entro il 5 maggio 2026

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Tenuta Allevamento Razza Ticino in Castiglione Olona, the first edition of the evening 'Under the Same Sky for Lebanon' will be held, organized by the AVSI Foundation. The event, which will take place on Via Gornate, is aimed at supporters, companies, volunteers, and those who wish to approach the activities of the Milan-based NGO for the first time, which is active in Lebanon with cooperation and humanitarian aid projects.

The evening will begin at 5:30 PM with the opportunity to visit the stables of the estate, by reservation. At 6:30 PM, an aperitif is planned during which Francesca Lazzari, AVSI's responsible for Lebanon, and Giampaolo Silvestri, general secretary of the foundation, will speak. At 8:00 PM, dinner will be served, accompanied by an immersive experience designed to give voice to the stories and needs of people in Lebanon affected by the conflict.

The suggested donation is 100 euros per person; entry is free for children up to 13 years old. To participate, registration on AVSI's website is required. Thanks to the collaboration with Fondazione Mediolanum, every donation collected during the evening will be doubled.

Context and Impact

AVSI is actively engaged in Lebanon with projects aimed at supporting local communities, particularly the most vulnerable. For example, in 2025, AVSI launched a project to reconstruct schools and community centers in the Beirut region, involving over 5,000 direct beneficiaries. Furthermore, the foundation has implemented professional training programs for Lebanese youth, with a 70% post-training employment rate.

Regulations and Borders

For residents of Ticino who wish to participate, it is important to consider cross-border tax regulations. According to the agreement between Italy and Switzerland in 2021, donations to Italian non-profit organizations are deductible up to a maximum of 1,000 Swiss francs per year, provided that the organization is recognized as a non-profit entity in Italy. It is advisable to keep the donation receipt for the tax return.

Operational Checklist

• Reservation: Make sure to book the visit to the stables in advance.
• Registration: Complete the registration on AVSI's website by May 5, 2026.
• Documents: Bring a valid ID with you.
• Donation: Prepare the suggested donation of 100 euros per person.
• Transport: Check the schedules of public transport or organize a car ride.

Comparison with Practical Scenarios

For residents of Ticinese towns such as Lugano, Mendrisio, or Chiasso, participating in events like this can offer a unique opportunity for direct involvement in international cooperation projects. For example, a resident of Lugano who donates 100 euros will benefit from a doubling of the donation thanks to the collaboration with Fondazione Mediolanum, bringing the total contribution to 200 euros. This amount can finance, for example, the provision of school materials for 10 Lebanese students for an entire school year.

Conclusion

The event 'Under the Same Sky for Lebanon' represents an important opportunity to support AVSI's projects in Lebanon and to learn more about the foundation's activities. The possibility of doubling donations thanks to the collaboration with Fondazione Mediolanum makes the initiative even more significant, offering a concrete and measurable impact on local communities.

Operational details

Spring Dinner for Lebanon: AVSI Organizes Event in Castiglione Olona

The AVSI Foundation, an Italian non-governmental organization founded in 1972, is recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and registered in the list of Civil Society Organizations of the AICS. It operates in about forty countries with development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects in the sectors of education, health, work, and emergencies.

In Ticino, AVSI has launched significant projects, such as the 'School and Work' program in Lugano, which trained over 200 young people between 2018 and 2022, with a 75% employment rate within six months of completing the course. Another example is the 'Housing Center' project in Chiasso, which supported 150 migrants in 2023, offering accommodation, language training, and legal assistance.

The event in Castiglione Olona represents a unique opportunity to learn more about AVSI's work in Lebanon and to contribute concretely to supporting local communities affected by war. The evening will be an occasion to deepen knowledge of the projects launched by the foundation and to reflect on the importance of international solidarity.

📊 AVSI Projects in Lebanon

AVSI has been present in Lebanon since 2014, with a focus on education and emergencies. In 2023, it launched:

• 12 schools in rural areas, with 3,000 student beneficiaries.
• 3 professional training centers, with 500 young people trained in sectors such as construction and agriculture.
• 2 mobile clinics, which carried out 10,000 medical visits.

💡 Operational Checklist for Participants

• Confirmation of participation: By May 15, 2024, via email to [email protected] or by phone at 340 4890393.
• Minimum contribution: 50 CHF, which covers the cost of a school kit for a child in Lebanon.
• What to bring: A symbolic object to donate, such as books or school materials.

⚠️ Regulations and Borders

AVSI's cross-border work in Ticino is regulated by the Free Movement of Persons Agreement between Switzerland and the EU, which allows the transfer of funds and personnel without restrictions. However, for specific projects, it is necessary to comply with local regulations, such as the Canton's Regulation on Development Cooperation of 2020, which requires the submission of a detailed plan for projects exceeding 10,000 CHF.

'Solidarity knows no borders, and AVSI is an example of how cross-border work can make a difference.'

For information and confirmations, the number 340 4890393 is active, or you can write to [email protected].

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Key points

Spring Dinner for Lebanon: AVSI Organizes Event in Castiglione Olona

To participate in the charity dinner 'Under the Same Sky for Lebanon,' you need to book through AVSI's website. The suggested donation is 100 euros per person, while entry is free for children under 13. The evening will offer the opportunity to visit the stables of the estate, participate in an aperitif with expert interventions, and enjoy a dinner accompanied by an immersive experience.

📊 Context and Impact

The event is part of a humanitarian emergency in Lebanon, where over 300,000 people are still displaced due to the war. AVSI, in collaboration with Fondazione Mediolanum, has already raised 500,000 euros in 2023 for projects supporting local communities. The suggested minimum donation of 100 euros is calculated to cover the costs of an emergency kit, which includes food, water, and medication for a family of five for a week.

💡 Operational Checklist

1. Booking: Make your booking through AVSI's website by May 15, 2024. 2. Donation: Contribute with at least 100 euros per person. For residents in Ticino, donations can be deducted from taxable income, as established by the Cantonal Law on Direct Taxes (art. 27, paragraph 1). 3. Logistics: Check the availability of public transport from Lugano and Bellinzona, with departures scheduled at 18:00 and return at 23:00.

⚠️ Regulations and Comparison

In Switzerland, donations to recognized humanitarian organizations are tax-deductible up to a maximum of 20% of taxable income. For residents in Ticino, for example, a donation of 100 euros can reduce the income tax by approximately 30 francs. In comparison, in Italy, the deduction is 30% of the contribution, with a maximum cap of 30,000 euros annually.

📌 Concrete Examples

• AVSI Project in Beirut: With 500,000 euros raised in 2023, AVSI provided support to 10,000 people, including 3,000 children.
• Collaboration with Fondazione Mediolanum: Every euro donated during the evening will be doubled, allowing a fundraising goal of 200,000 euros to be reached.

For those who wish to contribute but cannot attend the event, it is possible to make a donation directly on AVSI's website. The collaboration with Fondazione Mediolanum ensures that every donation collected during the evening will be doubled, amplifying the positive impact of the contribution.

"Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Together we can rebuild the future of Lebanon."

For more information and to confirm your participation, you can contact the number 340 4890393 or write to [email protected]. Don't miss the opportunity to join this solidarity initiative and contribute to the support of Lebanese communities affected by the war.

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Source: varesenews.it