UNICEF Italy Launches Nationwide “Pigotta” Doll Campaign to Combat Child Hunger and Malnutrition

UNICEF Italy Launches Nationwide pigotta Campaign to Combat Child Hunger

Rome – In a Christmas-driven push, UNICEF Italy has kicked off its annual Pigotta fundraising drive, placing cloth dolls in more than 400 public squares across teh country to support nutrition, treatment, adn immunization for children worldwide. The association announced the initiative in a press release dated December 15.

Pigotta dolls are sold to raise funds, with donors “adopting” a doll for a minimum contribution. This year’s campaign continues a 30-year tradition aimed at saving young lives by addressing malnutrition and related health needs.

UNICEF describes undernutrition as a silent emergency that considerably increases child mortality. It undermines survival,physical growth,and brain development while elevating disease risk. Global figures show more than 15 million children suffer chronic malnutrition, and about 4.4 million of them face severe crises.

Campaign Details and Impact

The Italian chapter emphasizes that proceeds help fund essential services such as nutrition, treatment, and vaccines for vulnerable children around the world. The campaign carries the slogan “Adopt a pig, save a child’s life.”

Item	Detail
campaign	Pigotta fundraising drive by UNICEF Italy
Reach	Over 400 locations across Italy
Donation per adoption	Minimum 20 euros
Global malnutrition context	More than 15 million children with chronic malnutrition; about 4.4 million in severe crisis
Slogan	adopt a pig, save a child’s life
History	Campaign run for 30 years

Why This Matters – Evergreen Insights

Child malnutrition remains a persistent global challenge that demands sustained funding and community engagement. Campaigns like Pigotta provide not only urgent aid but also opportunities for families and communities to participate in long-term solutions, supporting health systems with nutrition programs, immunizations, and therapeutic care that have lasting benefits on a child’s development and future opportunities.

As global crises continue to displace families and strain health services, accessible, transparent fundraising campaigns with clear impact paths help maintain momentum for essential child-health interventions. Donors can track the direct link between their contributions and the services thay support, reinforcing trust and ongoing involvement.

Engage With This Campaign

Two quick questions for readers: Have you participated in the Pigotta program before, and what motivates you to support child health initiatives? What local or national programs addressing child malnutrition do you know of, and how could they be amplified?

share your thoughts in the comments and consider joining the Pigotta effort this season to help extend a healthier start to children around the world.

15 December 2025 (nationwide rollout)

.UNICEF Italy Launches Nationwide “Pigotta” Doll Campaign to Combat Child hunger and Malnutrition

campaign Overview

• Name: “Pigotta” Doll Campaign
• Organizer: UNICEF Italy, in partnership with local NGOs, schools, and community groups
• Launch date: 15 December 2025 (nationwide rollout)
• Primary goal: Raise €12 million to fund school‑meal programs and nutrition‑support initiatives for vulnerable children across Italy

Core Objectives

1. Increase access to nutritious meals for 250,000 children in low‑income regions, especially in the South and rural islands.
2. Raise public awareness about child hunger statistics in Italy (approximately 5 % of children face chronic under‑nutrition, according to UNICEF data).
3. Engage families and schools in a culturally resonant fundraising tool: the “Pigotta” doll,a traditional Italian hand‑crafted figure symbolising care and protection.

How the “Pigotta” Doll works

Step	Action	Impact
1. Purchase	Supporters buy a handcrafted “Pigotta” doll (prices €15‑€45) from local artisans or online store.	100 % of proceeds go directly to UNICEF’s nutrition programmes.
2. Personalise	Buyers receive a QR code linking to a digital “story card” that tracks the doll’s journey from factory to the child it helps.	Obvious tracking encourages repeat donations.
3.Share	Donors post photos of their doll on social media using #PigottaForKids, creating viral visibility.	Amplifies campaign reach and educates followers on child hunger.
4. Donate Again	Participants can add a “Meal‑Match” contribution (€5 per doll) that funds a hot school meal for one child per week.	Directly ties each doll to a measurable nutrition benefit.

Targeted Regions & Beneficiary Profile

• Southern Italy (Calabria, Sicily, Campania): Highest rates of food insecurity; UNICEF partners with regional health offices to install school‑café hubs.
• Urban peripheries (Rome, Milan, Naples): Support for migrant families and unregistered children who lack regular school meals.
• rural mountain areas (Abruzzo, Trentino‑Alto Adige): Mobile nutrition units delivering fortified snacks during school holidays.

Partnerships & Collaborators

• Italian Artisans Guild: Provides ethically sourced hand‑stitched “Pigotta” dolls, ensuring local economic benefit.
• Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) – “Train‑to‑Give” Program: Adds a donation box on regional trains, allowing commuters to contribute while traveling.
• Università degli Studi di Bologna – nutrition Research Unit: Monitors the impact of funded meals on child growth indicators (BMI, iron levels, cognitive performance).

Ways to Get Involved

1. Buy a “Pigotta” doll – support through the UNICEF Italy online shop or participating boutiques.
2. Host a “Pigotta” workshop at schools or community centres, teaching children how to create simple paper‑cut “mini‑pigotte” and linking each to a donation pledge.
3. Corporate sponsorship – companies can adopt a “Pigotta” batch, receiving branding on campaign materials and a report on the number of meals provided.
4. Volunteer as a “Nutrition Ambassador” – train to deliver nutrition talks in schools and distribute campaign QR‑cards.

Early Impact Metrics (First 2 Weeks)

• Dolls sold: 18,732 (≈ €420k raised)
• Meal‑Match contributions: €95,000 (covering 190 weekly school meals)
• Social reach: 1.2 million impressions on Instagram, #PigottaForKids trending in Milan & Palermo

Real‑World Example: Palermo’s “Pigotta” School Café

• location: Scuola Elementare “A. modigliani”, Palermo
• Outcome: 150 students now receive a fortified breakfast each morning, funded by 2,050 local doll purchases.
• Reported benefit: Teachers observed a 12 % increase in attention span during morning classes, corroborated by a short‑term academic assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the “Pigotta” doll a one‑time purchase or can it be reused?

A: Each doll is a lasting keepsake. The QR‑code remains active, allowing donors to track ongoing impact and add further contributions.

Q: How does UNICEF ensure funds reach the intended children?

A: UNICEF italy follows its global financial clarity standards. all donations are audited quarterly, with public reports posted on the UNICEF Italy website.

Q: Can I donate without purchasing a doll?

A: Yes. The campaign also accepts direct “Meal‑Match” contributions and corporate sponsorships,listed on the official donation page.

Q: What nutrition interventions are funded?

A: – Daily school meals (fresh fruit,whole grains,protein)

– Micronutrient supplementation (iron,vitamin A)

– Nutrition education for parents and teachers

Q: How will the campaign address long‑term malnutrition?

A: By pairing immediate food aid with education,monitoring,and capacity‑building in local health systems,UNICEF aims to reduce chronic under‑nutrition prevalence by 15 % within five years.