The RETURN project (an acronym for Multi-Risk sciEnce for resilienT commUnities undeR a changiNg climate) is an extensive partnership funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), which aims to strengthen the research sectors related to environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risks at a national level, promoting participation in strategic European and global value chains. Through the enhancement of basic knowledge and the application of technology, the project contributes to the strengthening of key skills, technological and knowledge transfer, and Italian governance in disaster risk management, involving public administrations, stakeholders, and private companies.

The RETURN partnership, coordinated by the University of Naples “Federico II”, includes the participation of the Polytechnic of Turin, leader of Spoke 6 – TS2: Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures, and involves 26 partners, including 12 universities, 5 research institutions and centers of competence, 6 private entities, 2 territorial bodies, and the Department of Civil Protection, with funding provided by the Ministry of University and Research exceeding 115 million euros. The RETURN Foundation manages activities including calls for businesses: the project aims to identify and support innovative startups, spinoffs, and SMEs with specific activities in prevention, management, and mitigation of environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risks. The program also includes participation from I3P, the Incubator of the Polytechnic of Turin, which has organized a series of events to disseminate the opportunities of the RETURN calls to the network of innovative startups and to involve young companies that align with the types of technological solutions sought.

The third event in this series, dedicated to the Water vertical (related to Spoke VS1 of the project), will take place on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 4:00 PM, in an online webinar format with free participation. During the digital meeting, which will be held in Italian, the RETURN project and its calls for SMEs will be presented, with a focus on the specific vertical related to the mitigation of water-related risks, such as in cases of floods or droughts. A startup will also share a testimony of its innovative entrepreneurial project in this field.

To receive the link to connect to the webinar, it is necessary to register on Eventbrite.

Program

• 4:00 PM | Opening of the webinar and introductory greetings by Negar Mokarram, Business Analyst at I3P
• 4:05 PM | The RETURN project and its calls for innovative SMEs – Ciro Del Vecchio, RETURN Foundation
• 4:30 PM | The Water vertical (VS1) and its fields of application – Martino Bernard, Researcher at the University of Padua
• 4:50 PM | Presentation of a startup active in the Water area
• 5:00 PM | Thanks and conclusion of the meeting

There are those who have been orienting journalistic work towards positive social values for years and those who have invested in innovative tools to promote new ways of reporting. Some have founded a successful news outlet from scratch, while others have championed journalism that focuses on solutions as a means to change the world.

The guests, who are journalists, communication experts, and innovators, will meet on Friday, May 10, at 10:30 AM at the Turin Book Fair to participate in the event “The Role of Journalism in the Impact Economy Era“, organized by Turin Social Impact.

This event is part of the Torino Impact Journalism initiative, which aims to explore how journalism can help drive change in a context where all societal actors, from institutions to businesses, are called to address major environmental and social challenges.

The event, free and open to the public until full, will provide an opportunity for debate and discussion among experts who apply impactful journalism daily to help society progress and inform the public.

The discussion will feature stories from a growing and increasingly widespread movement of journalists and experts from the United States to South Africa, from France to Italy, who investigate reality and address societal problems through rigorous, fact-based journalism that highlights positive experiences through constructive approaches.

We will introduce the guests who, on Friday, May 10, at the Sala Bianca of the Turin Book Fair, will share their experiences in impactful journalism.

Mario Calabresi

Journalist and author, began his career as a parliamentary reporter at Ansa, was a correspondent in the United States, and directed La Stampa and La Repubblica. He has written nine books and is dedicated to experimenting with new forms of journalism and narrative. He runs a weekly newsletter called Altre/Storie and directs the podcast company Chora Media, of which he is a co-founder.

 

Mario Calderini

Internationally recognized as an expert and innovator on sustainability, social impact, and Purpose Driven Innovation. He is the director of Tiresia, the research center on finance and social impact innovation at the Graduate School of Management of Politecnico di Milano, which he founded in 2013.

 

Styli Charalambous

Co-founder of the Daily Maverick, which he helped grow from a five-person startup to over 100 full-time employees. Passionate about leadership and innovation, in 2021 he received South Africa’s most prestigious journalism award for courage and integrity for his pivotal role in the success of the Daily Maverick.

 

Zoe McDonagh

Part of the global Outreach and Strategy team at the Media Development Investment Fund, focusing on funding and investor relations. She spent nearly a decade at the CRT Foundation, where she gained extensive experience in implementing international impact entrepreneurship projects.

 

Julie Pybus

Editor at Pioneers Post, an independent news network for the global impact community. Her work has always been based on the principles of solution journalism, offering coverage of positive news that explores how societal challenges can be addressed.

 

Tina Rosenberg

Co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network and writer. She was a long-time journalist at the New York Times, writing editorials and articles for the Sunday magazine. Together with David Bornstein, co-founder of SJN, she wrote the “Fixes” column for the New York Times for 11 years.

 

Raphael Zanotti

Journalist at La Stampa since September 2007, he covered crime and judicial news for 15 years before specializing in Data Journalism, Visual Journalism, OSINT, and Social Media Intelligence. He was the deputy head of the national web of La Stampa and is now responsible for the city news web edition in Turin.

The Imaginary Life of the Giardino Forbito obviously in the garden! On the occasion of the 2024 Salone Internazionale del Libro, the Googreen Market returns to Sambuy on May 11 and 12 for two days of small-scale productions and cultural encounters.

Saturday, May 11
12 PM
“Imagine that snack!”
With Federico Gordini, Chiara Cavalleris, and Marco Fedele a collective narrative of the very Piedmontese ritual of the “Merenda Sinoira” featuring a Googreen market area dedicated to ingredients, flavors, and the rural gastronomic tradition, the undisputed origin of the now indispensable “aperitif” moment.

Saturday, May 11
2:30 PM
“The Italy of Miracles. Stories of saints, magic, and mysteries”, Raffaello Cortina Editore
The author Marino Niola will converse with Davide Monopoli and Silvia Casolari of the Mufant – Museum of the Fantastic in Turin – who, interviewed by Antonella Giani, will engage in a visionary comparison between past and future, in a dialogue that brings the figure of the Saints, active witnesses of a “doing good” so necessary today, back to the center of everyday life.

Saturday, May 11
3:30 PM
“In Spirit”
Journeys in search of Saints and at the same time of wine productions in Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato. In collaboration with Domenico Papa and Art Site Land, the first immersive tourist excursion will be previewed, which during the summer, will take place in Monferrato, specifically in Moasca at the church dedicated to San Rocco and in the land of the Amistà winery, with the participation of Michele and Jacopo Marsiaj who will talk about their passion for the grapes of this region.

Sunday, May 12
All day
“So Much Hat”
The project by the Well-Groomed Garden that merges street art and the Googreen Biodiversity Market in the name of the regeneration of the Sambuy Gardens and the Porta Nuova ring. A show of “active participation” continuously with surprise encounters among the garden paths and “Whispers,” stories and sounds face-to-face in the garden.

What does Diversity Mindset mean? Why do we talk about inclusion in organizations and workplaces? If I’m a freelancer or run a small business, how can I concretely incorporate this theme into my content and communication strategy?

Let’s work together on the answers on Tuesday, May 7th, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Associazione Acca, as part of the Salone OFF event offerings, is organizing a meeting at Pink Coworking (via Bertolotti 10 in Turin, near Piazza Solferino) on a foundational topic: inclusion and a broad intersectional approach in the workplace.

We believe it is important to address these questions in a rapidly changing work environment, where corporate welfare and inclusion are crucial for reputation and appeal. Yet too often, in the rush for sustainability, they are reduced to merely “cosmetic” actions; this is also an issue that affects freelancers when they are integrated into complex and diversified organizations.

We will discuss all these topics, and more, with Sambu Buffa, author of the upcoming book “Change your mindset with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in your activity”. We will have some previews of the book during the event: a meeting that lies between an interview and an extended discussion with the audience.

Engaging in dialogue with the author will be Chiara Zoia, an expert in accessible communication, and Sylvia Oberto, a consultant for Diversity Equity and Inclusion interventions in companies and third-sector entities.

The event is part of the Salone OFF programming of the Salone del Libro of Turin, in collaboration with Flaco Edizioni; and is supported by the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, within the framework of the Time and Skills Bank of Pink Coworking.

Click here to read the news on our website, where you can also find a form to register.

For more information: info@associazioneacca.eu

The Innovative Business Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin (I3P) has organized a series of free educational events, in collaboration with Jacobacci Lawyers and the Jacobacci & Partners group, specifically aimed at startups and innovative SMEs, but open to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the defense and enhancement of intellectual property in a business and professional context.

The first event on Wednesday, May 8th will focus on the most suitable technical-legal tools to ensure the ownership of rights on know-how and trade secrets of a young company, exploring how the protection and regulation of such rights can be an essential element for proper exploitation within their market strategy.

During the meeting, led by Leo Italiano, Senior Consultant at I3P, and conducted by Alberto Spoto, Lawyer at Jacobacci Lawyers, typical scenarios will be pragmatically addressed where startup partners manage technical and commercial information, including interactions with external parties. Emphasis will be placed on the main contractual structures that can cover know-how, relationships with universities and research institutes, and practical measures to solidify contractual provisions.

The second session in this series, titled “The Brand: Basic Concepts for a Successful Strategy“, is scheduled for early June, led by Chiara Ferrari, Trademark Attorney at Jacobacci & Partners. The third meeting will take place in July on the topic of “Protecting Software, Data, and AI: A Practical Guide for Startups“, featuring talks by Edgardo Deambrogi, Italian and European Patent Attorney and Partner at Jacobacci & Partners, Valerio Verdecchia, European Patent Attorney at Jacobacci & Partners, and Alberto Spoto, Lawyer at Jacobacci Lawyers.

How to participate

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, starting at 5:00 PM, in person at the Agorà Hall of the I3P incubator, located within the Campus of the Polytechnic University of Turin, accessible both from the main gate at Corso Castelfidardo 30/A and the pedestrian entrance at Via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation in the event is free, with prior registration on Eventbrite.

Schedule

5:00 PM | Reception and registration of participants
5:10 PM | Introductory greetings by Leo Italiano, Senior Consultant at I3P and Program Manager at ESA BIC Turin
5:15 PM | Presentation by Alberto Spoto, Lawyer at Jacobacci Lawyers
6:15 PM | Q&A session with the audience
6:30 PM | Conclusion and networking aperitif

Organizers

Founded in 1999, the Innovative Business Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin (I3P) supports the creation and development of high-tech innovative startups with growth potential, founded by both university researchers and students as well as external entrepreneurs, providing strategic consulting services, coaching, mentoring, fundraising support, and workspace. I3P’s mission is to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem with the goal of generating economic development and employment in innovative industrial sectors.
For more details: www.i3p.it

Jacobacci Lawyers, established in the mid-90s, has always aimed to be a benchmark in intellectual property protection, both in Italy and abroad. Today, the firm boasts a consolidated team of 15 partners and over 40 professionals operating in four offices across Italy and France. Its professionals specialize in various aspects of intellectual property, from trademarks to patents to design, to protect the innovative ideas of an international clientele across various sectors, from technology to services. Over the years, the firm’s professionals have represented their clients in particularly complex legal matters across the entire spectrum of intellectual property, achieving landmark precedents in Italian and European courts in numerous areas.
For more details: www.jacobacci-law.com/it

Jacobacci & Partners is an international group with 13 offices across Europe – including Turin, Milan, Rome, Brescia, Padova, Kilometro Rosso (Bergamo), Bologna, Madrid, Alicante, Paris, Lyon, Nantes, and Bordeaux – that has been operating in the field of intellectual property protection and enhancement for over 150 years, managing 100,000 patents and 120,000 trademarks for over 10,000 clients of every size, sector, and geographical area. For several years, it has ranked highly in major international intellectual property rankings: Managing Intellectual Property, World Trademark Review, Intellectual Asset Management, Financial Times, and Leaders League. Certified as a “Great Place to Work” also for the biennium 2023-2024, in 2023 it also achieved the Gender Equality Certification.

For more details: www.jacobacci.com

The Reusable Packaging Revolution project has started in Turin to reduce the use of single-use packaging in large-scale retail.

This is an experiment that, until the end of June, will test two different packaging reduction strategies at some Crai retail points in the city.
For some weeks now, at CRAI at Corso Moncalieri 267C, it has been possible to purchase products from the deli and butcher counters served for free in Around reusable containers, instead of single-use ones. After consuming the meal without producing packaging waste, the container must be returned within 7 days to the retail point, where it will be sanitized and recirculated.

The second experiment, starting in early May, will involve some Crai retail points in districts 1 and 8 and some deli counters at the Crocetta market, where a “pilot” group of 50 people will experiment with using containers brought from home.
The applications to participate in this experiment are open right now. The selected individuals, after an initial training phase, will go to the involved retail points using their own reusable containers brought from home and appropriately sanitized.

To apply, you can register here.
For information, write to projects@mercatocircolare.it

The Reusable Packaging Revolution is a project by Mercato Circolare srl, University of Turin, and Aarhus University, in collaboration with Around and Crai, for the EIT FOOD – POC (Proof of Concept) 2023-2025 call.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its operations, I3P, the Innovative Enterprise Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin, has launched a series of special events titled Scintille: a series of meetings with brilliant minds and prominent figures not only from the world of technology, who have made a significant mark in their field and beyond.

Following the success of the first two events in March and April, I3P is pleased to present the third appointment on Tuesday, May 14, with a uniquely profiled new guest: Chiara Montanari, the first Italian woman to have led an expedition to Antarctica and an engineer with decades of experience in managing polar missions at international research stations.

“Uncertainty has a bright side because it awakens our vitality”. This is one of the phrases with which Chiara describes her relationship with adventure and the exploration of ever-new horizons, often under challenging conditions that require constant ingenuity. This state of mind is familiar to young entrepreneurs who tackle their nascent ventures every day, still devoid of certainties and exposed to countless unforeseen events, but driven by passion and the desire to achieve something never seen before.

In addition to having participated in five expeditions to Antarctica, representing not only Italy but also France and Belgium, Chiara Montanari has managed some of the most extreme research stations on our planet, such as the Concordia station, located at the top of the polar ice cap, at 4,000 meters altitude with temperatures ranging between minus 50 and minus 80 degrees Celsius.

Moreover, Chiara has conducted research in Organization Theory at the Polytechnic University of Milan and at the Center for Epistemology of Complexity at the University of Bergamo, before assuming managerial roles in various sectors and prominent companies. She has collaborated with the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the international astronomical observatory for exploring the high energies of the universe, and currently offers training courses to companies interested in developing the so-called Antarctic Mindset, the ability to thrive in uncertainty. She is a TEDx speaker and collaborates with various non-profit organizations on issues of empowerment in youth entrepreneurship, awareness of research, and environmental sustainability.

How to Participate

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, starting at 18:00, in person at the Agorà Hall of the I3P incubator, located within the Campus of the Polytechnic University of Turin and accessible either from the main gate at Corso Castelfidardo 30/A or from the pedestrian entrance at Via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation in the event is free, with prior registration on Eventbrite.

Program

18:00 | Welcome of participants

18:10 | Introductory greetings – Paola Mogliotti, Director of I3P

18:15 | Opening of the meeting – Adriano Marconetto, Entrepreneur In Residence at I3P

18:20 | Chat with Chiara Montanari, Antarctic Expedition Leader

19:00 | Q&A session with the audience in the hall

19:20 | Conclusion of the meeting

From April 19 to 21, the Biennale Tecnologia 2024 is taking place in Turin, an event organized by the Politecnico di Torino dedicated to the decisive role that technology has assumed in all areas of human life, from health to the environment, from personal relationships to democracy.

As part of the Biennale, a panel will be held at the OGR on Sunday, April 21 at 11:30 am, titled: “The social entrepreneurship tribunal: heroes or facilitators?” In a simulated judicial process, the narrative of entrepreneurial heroism will be addressed: are social entrepreneurs contemporary heroes or rather facilitators of collaborative action?

Along with Alberto Masetti-Zannini (Director of Global Development for the international Impact Hub network), Marco Nannini (CEO of Impact Hub srl SB), Tiziana Monterisi, founder of Ricehouse Srl SB, and Ugo Vallauri, founder of The Restart Project, Elena Ferrero, co-founder of TSI partner Atelier Riforma, will also participate.

The journey started with the Benefit Companies part of the Torino Social Impact network is filled with enthusiasm and a willingness to face ever-new challenges. Step by step, this path continues to surprise us with new opportunities.

Today, the ecosystem includes 50 benefit companies that have joined the network: each with its mission, its projects, and its vision believes in the power of collaboration and “doing together”. Following the success of the Fit4benefit networking and training program launched in 2023, on April 25, 2024, part of the Practice Community gathered to design new meetings based on the needs identified at the end of the course.

The new edition of Fit4benefit, continuing from the previous year, today shares some important goals, such as creating common knowledge through a peer learning path and fostering new relationships.

With great enthusiasm, today we are pleased to announce the start of the second edition of Fit4benefit for the 2024-2025 period, which includes two parallel training paths:

Fit4benefit “online version”

These are virtual meetings where snippets of content already covered in 2023 will be proposed. These sessions are designed for new members joining the Practice Community, for those who did not participate in previous meetings, and for those interested in revisiting some topics. The meetings will last 1 hour and will cover the following topics:

• Stakeholder engagement: sustainability is elsewhere
  curated by Amapola
  May 8, 2024, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM

• Social Benefit Object
  curated by Futura Law Firm
  December 11, 2024, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM

• Communicating Benefit
  curated by Synesthesia
  March 5, 2025, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM

Fit4benefit “in-person version”

These are offline meetings where some topics related to being a Benefit will be discussed more in-depth. The meetings, lasting 3 hours, are aimed at the entire group of Benefit Companies and will conclude with a networking aperitif. The topics to be addressed are:

• The game of Good Governance
  curated by Operàri
  June 21, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

• Function and drafting of the Benefit Report
  curated by FL20 Studio and Futura Law Firm
  November 8, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

• Positive organizations and gender equality management systems
  curated by Uomo & Ambiente and Clover
  January 24, 2025, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

• Being Benefit: communicate, engage, share
  curated by Amapola and Synesthesia
  April 18, 2025, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

If you represent a Benefit Company, you are welcome to participate in this experience! Write to info@torinosocialimpact.it to register for the meetings.

The Practice Community project is made possible thanks to the support of the Chamber of Commerce of Turin and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.

Caring for the psychological well-being of employees is not only strategically important for organizations, but it also allows companies to comply with regulatory obligations to protect the psychosocial risks of their human capital.

In recent years, we have witnessed profound socioeconomic changes that have affected the world of work: from job insecurity to an increase in workload and pace, from continuous innovations to poor work-life balance.

In Italy, about 50% of sick days are due to work-related anxiety and stress. Companies (and individuals) need new skills and abilities to manage current and future challenges, especially in the interests of the new generation of workers. For this reason, we have decided to do our part, this time too, for everyone’s mental health.

Our training program is comprehensive, intense, and aimed at HR, Welfare Managers, Chief Happiness Officers, and Entrepreneurs.

• 6 training sessions (3 in-person + 3 online)
• A total of 3 months of impactful training
• Only 50 spots available

A set of topics ranging from psychological training to corporate counseling; from welfare to high emotional impact leadership styles; from monitoring employee well-being to a corporate culture based on feedback and proper information flow.

It is necessary to take concrete actions to promote psychological well-being in the workplace, and we believe that one of the best ways to do so is through training!

Purchase the ticket for 3 months of intensive on-site training and learn how to effectively implement a Corporate Mental Health Strategy!

The reserved price is 590.00 EUR, valid only if you register by April 25th! It includes a 20% discount on the next TeamDifferent course (we will tell you more about this soon).

Let’s make an impact together.

Browse the detailed program of the course here!

The course is organized in partnership with NotOnlyDesk, with the strategic collaboration of Econgood (Economics Federation for the Common Good), the magical team of GeCo | Generazione Competente, WellWork, and M74 Solution.

With the launch of the new Call for Startups – a phase in which startups can submit their applications on the dedicated website – the third edition of FAROS officially begins. FAROS is an accelerator of the National Accelerator Network CDP Venture Capital, established in 2021 to promote a marine economy in Italy in support of sustainable development.

For this edition, the selected startups will be offered an acceleration program with masterclasses, one-to-one coaching activities, mentoring with industry experts, networking with national and international stakeholders; moreover, the best solutions will have the opportunity to engage in open innovation activities with corporate partners; the startups will receive an investment in the form of a convertible note starting from 75,000 euros with potential follow-on up to 400,000 euros.

The goal of FAROS is to identify the most interesting national and international entities that develop products or services impacting on eight focus areas of the marine economy:

• Ocean Data: intelligent systems and innovative technologies for the collection, monitoring, and evaluation of data from the sea and oceans
• Ocean Energy Systems: creating an energy mix based on ocean resources
• Sea Health & Restoration: activities for the prevention, protection, restoration, and monitoring of the marine environment and ecosystem
• Smart Ports & Green Shipping: digital and automated processes for optimizing port activities and decarbonizing maritime transport
• Sustainable Aquaculture: farming and processing of fish, algae, and mollusks for the food chain
• Innovative use of marine resources: for industrial applications and processes
• Shipbuilding: innovative and sustainable processes in the shipbuilding supply chain
• Coastal Tourism: services for the development of a more sustainable tourism supply chain

Teams can submit their applications by June 16, 2024, and the selection process will culminate in July 2024 with the Selection Day, during which up to 10 of the best entities will access the acceleration program that will last 4 months (November 2024 – February 2025) and will conclude with the final Demo Day event, scheduled for March 2025.

APPLICATIONS

The regulations of the call with details on eligibility criteria, conditions, and methods for submitting applications are available here. The Call closes on June 16, 2024.

FAROS is the first accelerator in Italy dedicated to this sector, created by the initiative of CDP Venture Capital Sgr in collaboration with the Port System Authority of the Ionian Sea – Port of Taranto and is managed by a|cube, an accelerator for social and environmental impact enterprises, and the local manager Wylab. With a national and international scope, FAROS promotes its activities through two significant Italian hubs, Taranto and La Spezia.

What is the role of information in the era of the impact economy? This is the question at the heart of the event organized at the Turin Book Fair. From here begins a journey to explore how journalism can contribute to promoting change in a context where all actors in society, from institutions to businesses, are called to activate to face the major environmental and social challenges.

Friday, May 10, 2024 – 10:30 AM
“The Role of Journalism in the Era of the Impact Economy”
Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino, Sala Bianca

An international debate to delve into how journalism can help promote change in a context where all the actors of society, from institutions to businesses, are called to activate to face the major environmental and social challenges. The event will also illustrate the solution journalism movement, which offers information aimed at producing social impact by not only showing problems but also solutions, thus contributing to societal progress.

The event is organized by Turin Social Impact as part of the Turin Impact Journalism initiative.

Introduces
Raphael Zanotti, journalist at La Stampa and curator of Turin Impact Journalism

Moderates
Mario Calderini, Professor at Politecnico di Milano and spokesperson for Turin Social Impact

Tina Rosenberg, co-founder of Solution Journalism Network and Pulitzer Prize winner
Styli Charalambous, co-founder of Daily Maverick
Julie Pybus, journalist at Pioneers Post
Zoe McDonagh, Media Development Investment Fund
Mario Calabresi, journalist and writer, founder of Chora Media

The event is part of the SalTO24 program.
Entry to the event is free, subject to availability of seats.

The food sector offers a prime opportunity to witness the intelligent and beneficial impacts of impact economy.

Established in 2014 in the vibrant barrier district of Milan, Panacea is a social cooperative dedicated to bread production, with a specific focus on strengthening the relationship with the surrounding territory.

Isabella de Vecchi, member of Panacea Social Farm, joined us in this new episode of Bench-Mark to tell us more about the company.

The interview is conducted by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

The RETURN project (acronym for Multi-Risk Science for Resilient Communities Under a Changing Climate) is an extensive partnership funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). It aims to strengthen the research supply chains in environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risks at the national level, promoting participation in strategic European and global value chains. By enhancing fundamental knowledge and applying technology, the project contributes to the strengthening of key competencies, technological and knowledge transfer, and Italian governance in disaster risk management, involving public administrations, stakeholders, and private enterprises.

The RETURN partnership, coordinated by the University of Naples “Federico II”, includes participation from the Polytechnic University of Turin, leading Spoke 6 – TS2: Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures, and involves 26 partners, including 12 universities, 5 research bodies and competence centers, 6 private entities, 2 territorial bodies, and the Department of Civil Protection, with funding of over 115 million euros from the Ministry of University and Research. Among the activities managed by the RETURN Foundation are calls for enterprises: the project aims to identify and support innovative startups, spinoffs, and SMEs specializing in the prevention, management, and mitigation of environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risks. The program also includes I3P, the Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin, which has organized a series of events to disseminate the opportunities of the RETURN calls to the network of innovative startups and engage young enterprises that align with the sought technological solution types.

The second event in this series, dedicated to the vertical area Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures, will take place on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 2:00 PM, in an online webinar mode with free participation. During the digital meeting, which will be held in Italian, the RETURN project and its calls for SMEs will be presented, with some scientific insights; a startup will also share a testimonial of its entrepreneurial project in the field of increasing the resilience of an area after a catastrophic event or natural disaster.

To receive the link to join the webinar, it is necessary to register on Eventbrite.

The first webinar of the series, held on March 21, 2024, on the vertical area Ground Instabilities, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes, is available on the YouTube channel of I3P.

Schedule

• 2:00 PM | Opening of the webinar and introductory greetings by Negar Mokarram, Business Analyst at I3P
• 2:05 PM | In-depth presentation of the RETURN project and its calls for innovative SMEs – Ciro Del Vecchio, RETURN Foundation
• 2:30 PM | Activities of Spoke 6 – TS2: Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures – Gabriele Freni, Co-Leader of Spoke TS2
• 2:50 PM | Presentation of a startup active in the Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures (TS2)
• 3:00 PM | Thanks and conclusion of the meeting

Social startup Atelier Riforma is among the 13 social enterprises selected from across Europe for “Grow AI – Social Tides”, one of the programmes supported by Google for Startups Accelerator.
Grow AI is an accelerator programme dedicated to social companies and impact organisations that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to pursue positive impact. Social Tides is promoted by INCO Academy with the support of Google.org.
Over the next 6 months, the startup will receive tools, technical knowledge, mentoring and a $190,000 grant to grow its technology and business.

Atelier Riforma has designed and developed (from 2021 until now) Re4Circular, a technological tool – based on Artificial Intelligence – used to smartply classify clothes and fabrics that are no longer used. Starting from a simple photograph of a garment and of its label, Re4Circular extracts and records all the essential data to best recover that garment through circular economy processes (such as reuse, recycling, tailoring, etc.).

Connected to this classification technology there is also a digital platform, which matches supply and demand (B2B) of this material, so that the organisations that collect used garments, as well as fashion brands that have deadstocks, – by using Re4Circular – can direct them to all those professionals and companies that are able to reuse the material in their business. This serves to reduce waste in the fashion industry, saving textiles from landfill and, on the contrary, valorising them as productive resources instead of virgin material.

Only two Italian projects were selected across Europe and Atelier Riforma is also the only project focused on the fashion sector.
The other selected social enterprises come from countries such as Sweden, the United Kingdom, Spain, Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Lithuania and all use AI for the common good, e.g. to improve the lives of blind people, increase pedestrian safety on the streets, diagnose heart diseases in advance, provide ongoing support to people with psychological disorders, make healthcare services accessible to all, combat fake news in information, promote women’s employment, make agriculture more sustainable, train young people in new technologies, etc.

Between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, the Piedmontese startup has been awarded funds (both national and international) amounting to around €250,000, which they will use to improve their technology and spread their service as widely as possible. A project that is the result of a lot of hard work and determination, which is beginning to receive rewards and have its important social mission recognised internationally.

The city of Turin enthusiastically welcomes the arrival of the Tour Truck, a unique event dedicated to professional orientation and the promotion of safety and legality in the workplace. The initiative, which will be held on April 18th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, is organized by the Foundation of Labor Consultants in collaboration with numerous institutions and local entities.

During the day, participants will be able to explore six stands offering job orientation services, support in drafting resumes, information on local job opportunities, and much more. Additionally, attendees will have the chance to engage with GeL, the first videogame dedicated to ethical work that helps to navigate the world of work.

The event will open with the participation of the Regional Minister of Labor, Education, and Merit of Piedmont, Elena Chiorino, and the President of the Foundation of Labor Consultants, Vincenzo Silvestri.

This will be followed by a dense program of conferences at Aula A2 of the Luigi Einaudi Campus, featuring speeches from various academic and institutional authorities discussing themes related to safety, legality, and orientation in the world of work.

The Tour Truck presents an invaluable opportunity for students, young professionals, and anyone interested in better understanding the dynamics of the job market and enhancing their skills in a stimulating and informative professional context.

For more information about the event program, click here.

Our future lies in the Third Sector

Why does the work of social enterprises still receive limited support from philanthropic organizations? Why are these large institutions —with enormous economic resources— in the last place among impact investors?

We will try to answer these and other questions on Thursday, April 11, from 6:30 to 8.00 p.m. in Dorado (lungo Dora Firenze 37), during an event dedicated to the strategic role of philanthropic entities in supporting social enterprises and third sector organizations.

We will have with us four professionals who have been involved insocial innovation, nonprofits, and sustainable development for years: Carola Carazzone (Assifero general secretary) / Arianna De Mario (Director of Strategic Partnerships at Ashoka) / Paola De Leo (founder and president of Semia) / Mario Montalcini (founder and CEO of Brainscapital). Introduced by Luca Ballarini, founder of Stratosferica.

Participation in the event is free.
At the entrance, you can get your membership card and become a “Friend of Dorado” (€5), which enables you to participate in all the events that will take place in Aurora’s new community hub.

We are thrilled to announce the event “Global Challenges, Local Solutions: Turin and the G7 on Climate“, organized by Green Growth Generation as part of Planet Week 2024!

What is it about? The Planet Week will take place from April 20th to 28th in the municipality of Turin, a calendar of initiatives leading up to the G7 Climate, Environment, and Energy. With “Global Challenges, Local Solutions: Turin and the G7 on Climate,” our goal is to inspire and engage the entire community to greater climate and environmental awareness. We will have the pleasure of hosting distinguished speakers, including representatives from Greenpeace, Relearn, ECCO, and Climate Fresk, who will guide us in an engaging discussion on the topics of ecological and digital transition.

And at the end of the morning, don’t run away: lunch is provided by Green Growth, with the kind contribution of the cooperative “Karibu Kitchen.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this important moment of discussion and action for our planet!

When? Sunday, April 21st, from 10:00 onwards.

Where? Bagni Pubblici di Via Agliè – Via Agliè 9, Turin.

Register now on Eventbrite and secure your spot!

On the occasion of Biennale Tecnologia 2024, a permanent biennial event organised by Politecnico di Torino and dedicated to technology’s decisive impact on each aspect of human life, the innovative companies incubator I3P is offering an opportunity to meet the founders of several start-ups in the space sector to talk about their vision of humanity’s future in space, the origin of their business idea in this field, and the steps they are taking to turn it into reality.

Among the guests at the meeting, there will be three innovative companies supported by the incubator on their entrepreneurial growth path: AIKO, Space Cargo Unlimited and Space V. AIKO develops artificial intelligence for the automation of space missions, while Space Cargo Unlimited intends to exploit the potential of manufacturing in space for terrestrial commercial applications, and Space V operates in the field of bio-regenerative systems for inhabited space missions. United by their activities in the spacetech sector, the representatives of the three start-ups will share their experience in this field of enormous potential and their perspectives on the future of human presence in the cosmos.

During the event, an in-depth look will be given at the projects and initiatives offering concrete support to the birth and development of new businesses in the space economy, such as the ESA BIC Turin incubation program and the NODES Ecosystem, with its Spoke 1 dedicated to Aerospace and Sustainable Mobility, of which I3P is a partner. At the end of the meeting, it will be possible to meet in person several players in this fast-growing sector and possibly submit one’s own technology-based business idea in the space field to the ESA BIC Turin specialists, for a free initial discussion.

How to join the event

The event will be held, in Italian language, in the afternoon of Thursday, April 18^th, 2024, starting at 16:30 CEST, in presence at the Agorà hall of the I3P incubator, located within the Campus of Politecnico di Torino and accessible both from the main gate of corso Castelfidardo 30/A, and from the pedestrian entrance of via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation is free of charge, only requiring registration on Eventbrite.

Event programme

• 16:30 | Opening of the event and welcoming of the public
• 16:45 | Introductory remarks – Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P and Coordinator of ESA BIC Turin
• 16:50 | “Innovative entrepreneurship in the Space Economy” – Leo Italiano, Program Manager of ESA BIC Turin
• 17:00 | “The opportunities of the NODES Ecosystem for companies” – Sabrina Corpino, Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS) of the Politecnico di Torino
• 17:10 | The case of AIKO – Giorgio Albano, Chief Legal Officer
• 17:20 | The project of Space Cargo Unlimited – Veronica La Regina, Director General
• 17:30 | The vision of Space V – Franco Malerba, Business Strategy Manager
• 17:40 | Round table: space startuppers discuss the role of innovation in the sector
• 18:10 | Q&A session with the audience
• 18:30 | Conclusion of the meeting and networking aperitif

Event speakers

Giorgio Albano, Co-Founder and Chief Legal Officer of AIKO, holds a degree in Law from the University of Turin and is a qualified lawyer. After several experiences in the legal and privacy departments of international companies, he founded AIKO in 2017 together with two other partners and joined the company in 2021. Always passionate about new technologies, in 2023 he published together with Maura Zara the article “New Age Space Activities: Implementing Earth Observation and Reducing Inequality through Artificial Intelligence“, presented at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2023.

Veronica La Regina, Director General of Space Cargo Unlimited, has an illustrious professional background, with current roles in several international organisations and previous positions in large aerospace companies, as well as the European Space Agency (ESA), in addition to research roles at universities in Europe and the United States. Her educational background has included academic studies in systems engineering, space policy, economics and law. La Regina’s contributions in the field of space include publications, research affiliations, mentorship, government consulting and coaching within prestigious networks, cementing her as a leading figure in the field of space exploration and innovation.

Franco Malerba, Co-Founder and Business Strategy Manager of Space V, is a lecturer at the University of Genoa and the University of Leicester, but he made history as the first Italian astronaut: in 1992 he flew into space aboard the shuttle Atlantis, which carried the Eureca laboratory and the Tethered satellite. During his career he has been a researcher at CNR and ESA, held management positions in industry, was an elected member of the European Parliament and scientific attaché of the Italian diplomatic representation to the OECD, ESA and the International Energy Agency in Paris. Today, he contributes to the dissemination of science by organising the annual Space Festival in Busalla, Liguria.

Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P and Coordinator of ESA BIC Turin, is Professor of Business Economics and Innovation Economics and Management at Politecnico di Torino. His research activities focus on the economics and management of innovation, innovative entrepreneurship and the economics of science: on these topics he is the author of publications in international journals, including Science, Nature, Journal of Management Studies, Journal of Corporate Finance, and Research Policy. In recent years he has been scientifically responsible for research projects on economics and innovation policy funded by the European Commission, European Patent Office, EU Joint Research Center, European Investment Bank, MIUR, National Bureau of Economic Research.

Leo Italiano, Senior Consultant at I3P, has a degree in Management Engineering from Politecnico di Torino and has been working since 2010 at I3P, where he provides consulting support to technology start-ups and entrepreneurs in business planning and business development. He is also the Program Manager of ESA BIC Turin, the incubation programme for start-ups active in the aerospace sector promoted by the European Space Agency and managed by I3P.

On April 5, 2024, Vol.To ETS and Fondazione Piemonte Innova signed a collaboration agreement aimed at revitalizing the Third Sector. This three-year partnership aims to modernize volunteer organizations through the adoption of digital technologies and more efficient management practices. The entities will actively collaborate to meet the needs of the associations, focusing on aspects such as cybersecurity, compliance with GDPR, and customer relationship management through CRM.

The agreement also includes a concrete commitment to professional training, with specific focuses on digital skills and other relevant areas for the Third Sector. It encompasses the efficient management of Vol.To ETS spaces within the Innovation Block – an innovative experimentation area established by the Chamber of Commerce of Turin through the redevelopment of the historic buildings of Piazzale Valdo Fusi, contributing to strengthening the dynamism of the innovative environment in Turin.

The collaboration between the two entities promotes a fruitful exchange of knowledge and experiences through regular meetings and specific actions aimed at enhancing digital skills among young people involved in volunteering, Civil Service, and international mobility programs. The common goal is to strengthen the digital competencies of Third Sector organizations, thereby promoting conscious social change, building a fairer and more inclusive future.

Discover more

As part of the #3P4SSE project – Social and Solidarity Economy – Central Europe Network, for which LINKS is a scientific partner, a series of meetings on the themes of social and solidarity economy has been organized.

The second seminar scheduled, “Social Economy and Territory: The Third Sector as a Driver of Territorial Development,” will be held in Italian and will delve into the role of territorial entities, both public and private, in the social economy.

The event will take place on April 15th, from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, at the headquarters of the Metropolitan City of Turin: the program includes in-depth discussions with various public and private practitioners who will help explore existing good practices aimed at promoting the construction of territorial networks in the social economy, illustrating their innovative dynamics.

It will be possible to participate in the event remotely by connecting here

“Nutri-Minds. Cultural Significance, Sustainability, and the Right to Food” is the title of the eighth edition of the Ferdinando Rossi Forum, dedicated to the relationship between human beings and food, which will be held in Turin from April 17 to 19, 2024.

The discussion will take place at the Terracini Hall of the Palazzo Nuovo (April 17-18) and the Aula Magna of the Rectorate (April 19) and will be approached from different perspectives, through the contribution of disciplines such as anthropology, semiotics, bioethics, social sciences, and life sciences.

A disciplinary approach to food

Never before have we been so obsessed with nutrition, with eating healthily. Never before has food become a vehicle for political ideas, a tool for communication and identity building, and, finally, never before have we been continuously exposed to images and representations of food.

From observing contemporary daily reality, and especially the frequent lack in public and academic communication of an interdisciplinary approach to food, the idea was born to dedicate the eighth edition of the Ferdinando Rossi Forum to this theme, realized thanks to the contribution of the University of Turin and the “Ferdinando Rossi” School of Advanced Studies of Turin.

Food policies, food influencing, sociability, and nourishment

The 2024 Forum will delve into the theme through a disciplinary lens, to offer a fruitful and meaningful exchange between different disciplines. The conferences, free and open to the public, will be divided into three days in which experts will be invited to speak on the theme. Among the many topics that will be explored at the event, local food policies, food influencing, popular gastronomies, the beneficial role of nutraceuticals, moral choices regarding food production, the link between food and writing, and eating disorders will be discussed.

The event will be completed by two Round Tables in which selected students will discuss the relationship between food, nourishment, and sociability. The participation of the public in this debate is welcome.

The Ferdinando Rossi Forum

The Ferdinando Rossi Forum is an annual cultural event, conceived and organized by the Organizing Committee, a body composed of university students of the “Ferdinando Rossi” School of Advanced Studies, the path of excellence of the University of Turin (SSST).

Born from the desire to stimulate a fruitful exchange between the academic world, associations, and the territory, it aims to promote knowledge of scientific, humanistic, and social topics of current relevance, through an interdisciplinary approach and with the intervention of experts from different disciplinary fields.

For more information, the complete program of expert interventions can be consulted on the event’s website.

Working together, finding new friends, and building new collaborations

APRIL 18, 2024 TURIN – DORADO

On Thursday, April 18th, from 9 AM to 6 PM, the first Social Working Day of the year will take place in Turin at the new Urban Innovation & Community Hub by Stratosferica: DORADO! A new multifunctional space along the Dora River that has breathed new life into a former Lavazza warehouse.

The #SWDAY24 is organized by MyOrango with the goal of bringing together freelancers, professionals, and companies in a unique location to exchange ideas and foster new opportunities and collaborations. It will be a full day of shared work, aimed at socializing and gaining new knowledge.

During the event, there will be three speeches given by Luca Ballarini, a graphic designer and founder of Bellissimo and the creator of Stratosferica, Cristina Leonetti, a consultant for change strategies, and Andrea Visconti, a content creator and entrepreneur of Reelations.

Tickets available at socialworkingday.com

New date, same FIORILE.
Following the cancellation of the March 30/31 edition due to bad weather, we return to the Rose Garden of Moncalieri Castle on SATURDAY 20 and SUNDAY 21 APRIL.

A weekend among seasonal excellences, flowers, agricultural productions, and crafts. Together we will explore the Moncalieri hill, meet new producers and new professions, listen to music, talk about biodiversity and ethical cooking.
It will be an opportunity for exchange, discovery, and participation with the WORKSHOPS of Beesù, Metropolitan Pollinators Slow Food, Floriculture Racca, and Orso Objetos, the IMMERSIVE WALK in the hill by Asd Nordic Walking Andrate towards PininAgri Farm, the ART SPACE of Benedetta Piovesana, and the CONCERT of Strawman & Celine.

Discover more here

April brings the bloom. And the Giardino Forbito brings it to the market.

Sunday, April 14th, we return to the Sambuy Gardens with the Googreen Market of the month: agricultural producers, craftsmen, and nurserymen for a spring shopping in the city center.

From the fruits of the earth to handmade objects, a day in the park to discover our territory together through small excellences and new professions.

Not just a market! Postponed by a month, the art of street performance returns to Sambuy with surprise encounters along the park’s paths. WHISPERS, sounds, and stories face to face in the garden, together with the artists Arianna Abis, Chiara Trevisan, and Sandro Reina.

This year, I3P, the Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin, celebrates 25 years: a significant milestone, dotted with the successes of the hundreds of startups it has supported over time, to be celebrated together with the innovative entrepreneurship community through a series of special initiatives throughout 2024.

In the series of special events titled Scintille (Sparks) – a series of meetings with brilliant minds and leading personalities, coming not only from the world of technology but who have made a significant mark in their field of activity – I3P is pleased to present the meeting on Tuesday, April 16, with an internationally renowned winemaking entrepreneur: Angelo Gaja.

Angelo Gaja is the most famous producer of fine Italian wines in the world; the “king of Barbaresco,” a wine that once few considered and that Gaja has made appreciated – both by the best international critics and by the most refined clientele – through the combination of an obsessive orientation to the quality of the product and evolved commercial strategies.

Angelo Gaja has changed the fortunes not only of his family company but of his entire territory, with insights and courageous choices decades ahead of his time: an entrepreneur who has always and obstinately focused on the search for excellence in all aspects of the business: product, brand, organization, environmental sustainability. His bottles continue to win the best international awards and are a must in the biggest restaurants in the world. Even today, Angelo Gaja continues to have a great passion for his work and a constant inclination to imagine and design the future.

How to participate

The event will take place on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM, in person at the Agorà Hall of the I3P incubator, located inside the Campus of the Polytechnic of Turin and accessible both from the main gate at Corso Castelfidardo 30/A and from the pedestrian entrance at Via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation in the meeting is free, upon registration on Eventbrite.

Program

6:00 PM | Welcome of participants

6:10 PM | Introductory greetings – Paola Mogliotti, Director of I3P

6:15 PM | Opening of the meeting – Adriano Marconetto, Entrepreneur In Residence at I3P

6:20 PM | Speech by Angelo Gaja, internationally renowned winemaking entrepreneur

For over forty years, Dalla Stessa Parte Cooperativa Sociale has been actively engaged in the Turin area in support of disadvantaged individuals, drawing inspiration from the story of its “founding father”, Franco Malerba. Following a tragic car accident, Malerba made the decision to dedicate his life to a project of solidarity and inclusion.

In this new episode of Bench-Mark, Gianluca Bruna, Project planning manager of Dalla Stessa Parte Cooperativa Sociale, explains how their current activities take into account impact economy, carrying on Franco’s legacy and continuing to make a difference in the community

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

“It’s Adventure – School Years” is the winning project of the Gaming, Augmented Reality and VR section of the 6th edition of Faber. The Formade team, which developed the idea, was also selected by Marcopolo for its Special Award, consisting of a 20-hour mentoring course aimed at refining the project idea from a communication point of view.

The mentoring program was built together with the It’s Adventure project’s referents, to meet their interests and needs and enable them to obtain practical knowledge useful in defining the identity, including the visual identity, of the game and its launch on the market.

The appointments will be structured through online and in-person meetings and will involve various professional figures from the Marcopolo staff, including CEO Maurizio Bazzano, who will offer his entrepreneurial experience to help Formade transform its idea into business.

Although many within the Marcopolo team have already had teaching experience, first and foremost thanks to the collaboration with the IED, with which we have been collaborating as trainers for several years as part of the Master in Marketing and Communication, this will be the first time that we will all be working together on a project that makes our vertical skills available in a transversal manner, and we are very curious to put ourselves to the test, as individuals and as a team!

We hope to live up to the expectations of the young men and women who will participate in the programme, and we are confident that this can be a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on all the knowledge that underpins the daily work we do for our customers. We are delighted to have the opportunity to share what we know, and we hope that this can be the first step towards a systematisation of our expertise, which can open up more and more to the various players in the area interested in learning more about issues related to the definition of a brand personality, including through the use of methodologies borrowed from the approaches of Design Thinking and Human Centred Design, the construction of a recognisable and coherent visual identity, and the adoption of an effective multi-channel communication strategy.