How can the history of the Associazione Nazionale Alpini be safeguarded while giving its activities a future? Among the Alpini there are those who do not stop at the question and try to offer answers. The ANA Verona Centro Group proposes two associations joined by a federation and a shared Charter of Values. A contribution to the debate, to be read and discussed.
Some questions touch every Alpini group closely: who will carry our activities forward? Who will look after the group halls, the mountain huts and the solidarity work? How do we hand on to younger generations the heritage of responsibility, friendship and service that we ourselves received?
The debate on the future of the Associazione Nazionale Alpini (ANA) also springs from these questions. At its heart lies the relationship between the ANA’s identity as an association of former servicemen and the participation of those who share Alpini values without having served in the Alpine Troops.
In recent months, in groups and sections, many Alpini have been asking serious questions and putting concrete ideas on the table. It is the sign of an association that is alive. We publish one of those ideas, drawn up by the ANA Verona Centro Group, together with the reasons given in the text that presents it. It is a contribution to the debate: neither a decision of the ANA nor a position adopted by the Alpini Group of Salce.
Two associations, one shared home of values
The project, entitled “Futuro associativo” (the future of the association), envisages the creation of a Federazione Italiana Alpini, an Italian Alpini Federation bringing together two distinct associations.
On one side the Associazione Nazionale Alpini would remain, keeping its nature as an association of former servicemen. According to the diagram, membership and offices would be reserved for those who served in the Alpine Troops and who declare that they recognise themselves in the federation’s Charter of Values. The proposal keeps the existing statute and regulations, the emblem and the Alpini hat.
On the other side a new body would be born: the ANVA — Associazione Nazionale Valori Alpini (National Association for Alpini Values), open to those who share the founding values of the ANA without having served in the Alpine Troops. Joining would involve an explicit commitment to respect Alpini traditions and values and to recognise oneself in the same Charter of Values.
For the new association the project indicates a statute and regulations modelled on those of the ANA, an emblem yet to be designed and the Norwegian-style cap as headgear.
The federation would represent both associations in dealings with civil and military authorities and with other associations. The diagram proposes a diarchy: two representatives elected by the respective associations, on an equal footing.
The aim: keeping the association united
The first reason given by the proposers is to protect the unity of the association.
Different sensibilities live side by side in the debate: those who consider it essential to preserve the character of an association of former servicemen, and those who hope for greater openness towards the Friends of the Alpini (Amici degli Alpini), including in holding office.
The proposal looks for a solution that makes room for both needs, so that the debate does not lead to departures, divisions or splits. The shared Charter of Values would become the foundation of the bond between the two associations.
Continuity, responsibility and participation
The second aim is to ensure continuity for the activities already under way, through the arrival and involvement of new members in the ANVA.
The project provides for associate members and Friends of the Alpini to move into the ANVA to form its membership base. It also points to a gradual handing-on of values and skills, mentioning areas such as Civil Protection, the running of mountain huts and property assets.
These are proposed steps, whose methods and consequences would need to be examined in depth: the diagram is not an operational measure.
Another central element is autonomy. The new association should offer its members offices, responsibilities and room to manage, valuing their contribution. The design also provides for shared experiences and coexistence in the same premises: places where people go on meeting and working together.
A debate to be approached with respect
In the accompanying text, the author reports that the president of the Verona Section had invited the zones to put forward concrete proposals on the future of the association. The paper by the Verona Centro Group was reportedly taken up by Zona Verona 1 and then presented to the Section.
The text was written on the eve of the meeting of 3 October 2026 in Piacenza, where the presidents of the ANA sections are called to discuss the future of the Association. The author hopes that any changes will follow the regular channels of the association’s internal democracy. As we publish, we do not know the outcome: we present the document for its content, without attributing to it developments that have not been verified.
Its invitation to debate deserves attention: ideas should be discussed on their merits, with respect for people and without presuming to hold the only possible answer.
For a community like ours, too, the future of the association is a matter of very concrete gestures: opening a hall, organising an initiative, looking after an archive, being there for those in need.
How can Alpini identity be preserved while giving responsibility to those who want to help keep its values alive? The Verona proposal offers one possible answer. Others are emerging in other groups and other sections. Our hope is that those who bear the responsibility of leading the Association will know how to listen: when the Alpini ask questions and make proposals, they deserve attention.
Source: diagram “Progetto Futuro associativo — Gruppo ANA Verona Centro” and accompanying text received for the preparation of this article. Header photo: the Alpini Group of Salce in the Genoa rain, National Adunata, May 2026 (photo Michele Sacchet).
